Risk Based Inspection of Jackets Submitted to Through-Wall Cracks

The actual challenge for the requalification of existing offshore structures through a rational process of reassessment leads to state the importance of Risk Based Inspection methodology. This paper points out the inspection results modelling and their contribution to decision aid tools. The study of the impact of through cracks on structural integrity of jacket platforms is still a challenge. The detection of large cracks is first addressed. In order to minimize inspections and maintenance costs, all the available data from inspection results, such as probability of detection and probability of false alarm, must be addressed, as well as the probability of crack presence. This can be achieved by the use of the decision theory. These capabilities of Non Destructive Testing give a first input for the risk study. A cost function is suggested to introduce this modelling into a risk analysis and is devoted to help rank the NDT tools. The case of large through-wall cracks is specifically addressed.