Ship Conversion into Surface Offshore Units

and Redeployment of Surface Offshore Units

July 2012

Guidance Note
NI 593 DT R00 E

Marine Division
92571 Neuilly sur Seine Cedex France
Tel: + 33 (0)1 55 24 70 00 Fax: + 33 (0)1 55 24 70 25
Marine website: http://www.veristar.com
Email: veristarinfo@bureauveritas.com
2012 Bureau Veritas - All rights reserved

ARTICLE 1
1.1. - BUREAU VERITAS is a Society the purpose of whose Marine Division (the "Society") is the classi-
fication (" Classification ") of any ship or vessel or structure of any type or part of it or system therein col-
lectively hereinafter referred to as a "Unit" whether linked to shore, river bed or sea bed or not, whether
operated or located at sea or in inland waters or partly on land, including submarines, hovercrafts, drilling
rigs, offshore installations of any type and of any purpose, their related and ancillary equipment, subsea
or not, such as well head and pipelines, mooring legs and mooring points or otherwise as decided by the
Society.
The Society:
prepares and publishes Rules for classification, Guidance Notes and other documents (Rules);
issues Certificates, Attestations and Reports following its interventions (Certificates);
publishes Registers.
1.2. - The Society also participates in the application of National and International Regulations or Stand-
ards, in particular by delegation from different Governments. Those activities are hereafter collectively re-
ferred to as " Certification ".
1.3. - The Society can also provide services related to Classification and Certification such as ship and
company safety management certification; ship and port security certification, training activities; all activi-
ties and duties incidental thereto such as documentation on any supporting means, software, instrumen-
tation, measurements, tests and trials on board.
1.4. - The interventions mentioned in 1.1., 1.2. and 1.3. are referred to as " Services ". The party and/or its
representative requesting the services is hereinafter referred to as the " Client ". The Services are pre-
pared and carried out on the assumption that the Clients are aware of the International Maritime
and/or Offshore Industry (the "Industry") practices.
1.5. - The Society is neither and may not be considered as an Underwriter, Broker in ship's sale or char-
tering, Expert in Unit's valuation, Consulting Engineer, Controller, Naval Architect, Manufacturer, Ship-
builder, Repair yard, Charterer or Shipowner who are not relieved of any of their expressed or implied
obligations by the interventions of the Society.
ARTICLE 2
2.1. - Classification is the appraisement given by the Society for its Client, at a certain date, following sur-
veys by its Surveyors along the lines specified in Articles 3 and 4 hereafter on the level of compliance of
a Unit to its Rules or part of them. This appraisement is represented by a class entered on the Certificates
and periodically transcribed in the Society's Register.
2.2. - Certification is carried out by the Society along the same lines as set out in Articles 3 and 4 hereafter
and with reference to the applicable National and International Regulations or Standards.
2.3. - It is incumbent upon the Client to maintain the condition of the Unit after surveys, to present
the Unit for surveys and to inform the Society without delay of circumstances which may affect the
given appraisement or cause to modify its scope.
2.4. - The Client is to give to the Society all access and information necessary for the safe and efficient
performance of the requested Services. The Client is the sole responsible for the conditions of presenta-
tion of the Unit for tests, trials and surveys and the conditions under which tests and trials are carried out.
ARTICLE 3
3.1. - The Rules, procedures and instructions of the Society take into account at the date of their
preparation the state of currently available and proven technical knowledge of the Industry. They
are not a standard or a code of construction neither a guide for maintenance, a safety handbook
or a guide of professional practices, all of which are assumed to be known in detail and carefully
followed at all times by the Client.
Committees consisting of personalities from the Industry contribute to the development of those docu-
ments.
3.2. - The Society only is qualified to apply its Rules and to interpret them. Any reference to them
has no effect unless it involves the Society's intervention.
3.3. - The Services of the Society are carried out by professional Surveyors according to the applicable
Rules and to the Code of Ethics of the Society. Surveyors have authority to decide locally on matters re-
lated to classification and certification of the Units, unless the Rules provide otherwise.
3.4. - The operations of the Society in providing its Services are exclusively conducted by way of
random inspections and do not in any circumstances involve monitoring or exhaustive verifica-
tion.
ARTICLE 4
4.1. - The Society, acting by reference to its Rules:
reviews the construction arrangements of the Units as shown on the documents presented by the Cli-
ent;
conducts surveys at the place of their construction;
classes Units and enters their class in its Register;
surveys periodically the Units in service to note that the requirements for the maintenance of class are
met.
The Client is to inform the Society without delay of circumstances which may cause the date or the
extent of the surveys to be changed.
ARTICLE 5
5.1. - The Society acts as a provider of services. This cannot be construed as an obligation bearing
on the Society to obtain a result or as a warranty.
5.2. - The certificates issued by the Society pursuant to 5.1. here above are a statement on the level
of compliance of the Unit to its Rules or to the documents of reference for the Services provided
for.
In particular, the Society does not engage in any work relating to the design, building, production
or repair checks, neither in the operation of the Units or in their trade, neither in any advisory serv-
ices, and cannot be held liable on those accounts. Its certificates cannot be construed as an im-
plied or express warranty of safety, fitness for the purpose, seaworthiness of the Unit or of its value
for sale, insurance or chartering.
5.3. - The Society does not declare the acceptance or commissioning of a Unit, nor of its construc-
tion in conformity with its design, that being the exclusive responsibility of its owner or builder,
respectively.
MARINE DIVISION
GENERAL CONDITIONS
5.4. - The Services of the Society cannot create any obligation bearing on the Society or constitute any
warranty of proper operation, beyond any representation set forth in the Rules, of any Unit, equipment or
machinery, computer software of any sort or other comparable concepts that has been subject to any sur-
vey by the Society.
ARTICLE 6
6.1. - The Society accepts no responsibility for the use of information related to its Services which was not
provided for the purpose by the Society or with its assistance.
6.2. - If the Services of the Society cause to the Client a damage which is proved to be the direct
and reasonably foreseeable consequence of an error or omission of the Society, its liability to-
wards the Client is limited to ten times the amount of fee paid for the Service having caused the
damage, provided however that this limit shall be subject to a minimum of eight thousand (8,000)
Euro, and to a maximum which is the greater of eight hundred thousand (800,000) Euro and one
and a half times the above mentioned fee.
The Society bears no liability for indirect or consequential loss such as e.g. loss of revenue, loss
of profit, loss of production, loss relative to other contracts and indemnities for termination of oth-
er agreements.
6.3. - All claims are to be presented to the Society in writing within three months of the date when the Serv-
ices were supplied or (if later) the date when the events which are relied on of were first known to the Client,
and any claim which is not so presented shall be deemed waived and absolutely barred. Time is to be in-
terrupted thereafter with the same periodicity.
ARTICLE 7
7.1. - Requests for Services are to be in writing.
7.2. - Either the Client or the Society can terminate as of right the requested Services after giving
the other party thirty days' written notice, for convenience, and without prejudice to the provisions
in Article 8 hereunder.
7.3. - The class granted to the concerned Units and the previously issued certificates remain valid until the
date of effect of the notice issued according to 7.2. here above subject to compliance with 2.3. here above
and Article 8 hereunder.
7.4. - The contract for classification and/or certification of a Unit cannot be transferred neither assigned.
ARTICLE 8
8.1. - The Services of the Society, whether completed or not, involve, for the part carried out, the payment
of fee upon receipt of the invoice and the reimbursement of the expenses incurred.
8.2. Overdue amounts are increased as of right by interest in accordance with the applicable leg-
islation.
8.3. - The class of a Unit may be suspended in the event of non-payment of fee after a first unfruitful
notification to pay.
ARTICLE 9
9.1. - The documents and data provided to or prepared by the Society for its Services, and the information
available to the Society, are treated as confidential. However:
clients have access to the data they have provided to the Society and, during the period of classifica-
tion of the Unit for them, to the classification file consisting of survey reports and certificates which
have been prepared at any time by the Society for the classification of the Unit;
copy of the documents made available for the classification of the Unit and of available survey reports
can be handed over to another Classification Society, where appropriate, in case of the Unit's transfer
of class;
the data relative to the evolution of the Register, to the class suspension and to the survey status of the
Units, as well as general technical information related to hull and equipment damages, are passed on
to IACS (International Association of Classification Societies) according to the association working
rules;
the certificates, documents and information relative to the Units classed with the Society may be
reviewed during certificating bodies audits and are disclosed upon order of the concerned governmen-
tal or inter-governmental authorities or of a Court having jurisdiction.
The documents and data are subject to a file management plan.
ARTICLE 10
10.1. - Any delay or shortcoming in the performance of its Services by the Society arising from an event
not reasonably foreseeable by or beyond the control of the Society shall be deemed not to be a breach of
contract.
ARTICLE 11
11.1. - In case of diverging opinions during surveys between the Client and the Society's surveyor, the So-
ciety may designate another of its surveyors at the request of the Client.
11.2. - Disagreements of a technical nature between the Client and the Society can be submitted by the
Society to the advice of its Marine Advisory Committee.
ARTICLE 12
12.1. - Disputes over the Services carried out by delegation of Governments are assessed within the
framework of the applicable agreements with the States, international Conventions and national rules.
12.2. - Disputes arising out of the payment of the Society's invoices by the Client are submitted to the Court
of Nanterre, France.
12.3. - Other disputes over the present General Conditions or over the Services of the Society are
exclusively submitted to arbitration, by three arbitrators, in London according to the Arbitration
Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. The contract between the Society
and the Client shall be governed by English law.
ARTICLE 13
13.1. - These General Conditions constitute the sole contractual obligations binding together the
Society and the Client, to the exclusion of all other representation, statements, terms, conditions
whether express or implied. They may be varied in writing by mutual agreement.
13.2. - The invalidity of one or more stipulations of the present General Conditions does not affect the va-
lidity of the remaining provisions.
13.3. - The definitions herein take precedence over any definitions serving the same purpose which may
appear in other documents issued by the Society.
BV Mod. Ad. ME 545 k - 17 December 2008
 GUIDANCE NOTE NI 593

NI 593
Ship Conversion into Surface Offshore Units and
Redeployment of Surface Offshore Units

SECTION 1 GENERAL

SECTION 2 DESIGN LOADS

SECTION 3 STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX 1 WELDING INSPECTION

July 2012
 Section 1 General
1 General 5
1.1 Application
1.2 Ship eligibility for conversion
1.3 Classification notation after conversion
1.4 Society involvement
1.5 Statutory requirements
1.6 Referenced documents
1.7 Definitions
2 Design Criteria Statement 7
2.1 General
3 Transit 7
3.1 General
4 Inspection and testing 7
4.1 Conversion work survey
4.2 Tests and trials
4.3 Inspection during service on site
5 Structural assessment methodology 7
5.1 General
6 Protection of the metallic hull structure 7
6.1 General
6.2 Plan for the corrosion protection
7 Documents to be submitted 8
7.1 General
7.2 Documents to be submitted prior to conversion work
7.3 Classification of unit

Section 2 Design Loads

1 General 9
1.1 Application
1.2 Documentation
1.3 Design loads
2 Hydrodynamic analysis 9
2.1 Principle
3 Transit conditions 10
3.1 General

2 Bureau Veritas July 2012

 Section 3 Structural Assessment
1 General 11
1.1 Scope
1.2 Definitions
2 Corrosion 12
2.1 Measured hull scantling
2.2 Net scantling approach
2.3 Values of corrosion additions
3 Structural assessment - ship area 13
3.1 Application
3.2 Structural assessment exemption
3.3 Determination of steel renewal
3.4 Methodology
3.5 Local structural assessment
3.6 Hull girder strength
3.7 Fatigue
3.8 Additional structural assessment
3.9 Local structural improvements
3.10 Finite Element Analysis
3.11 Verification of renewal scantling
4 Structural assessment - offshore area 17
4.1 Principles
4.2 Structural categorization
5 Fatigue 18
5.1 General
5.2 Past life accumulated fatigue damage
5.3 Fatigue damage on site
5.4 Fatigue criteria

Appendix 1 Welding Inspection

1 General 20
1.1 Scope
1.2 Production tests
2 Visual inspection 20
2.1
3 Non-destructive testing 20
3.1 General
3.2 X-Ray or Gamma-Ray testing
3.3 Ultrasonic testing
4 Weld imperfections 22
4.1 Acceptance standard of weld defects
4.2 Repairs of defects

July 2012 Bureau Veritas 3

4 Bureau Veritas July 2012

SECTION 1 GENERAL
1 General
1.1 Application
1.1.1 The present Guidance Note provides guidelines for
classification of surface offshore units further to the conver-
sion of an existing ship or redeployment of an existing off-
shore unit.
1.1.2 The present Guidance Note applies for unit intended
to be granted the classification notation specified in [1.3].
1.1.3 The present Guidance Note addresses the structural
assessment of the hull only.
1.1.4 The present Guidance Note provides the methodol-
ogy for structural assessment. Any other methodology may
be accepted subject to Society approval.
1.2 Ship eligibility for conversion
1.2.1 Ship eligibility for conversion is conditional on a
design approved by an IACS Society as regards the hull.
1.2.2 On a case-by-case basis, the Society may require
additional assessment and information, as relevant, in order
to agree on the suitability of the conversion for classifica-
tion purpose.
1.3 Classification notation after conversion
1.3.1 Structural type notation
The provisions of the present Guidance Note apply to exist-
ing surface units intended to be granted the structural type
notation offshore service ship or offshore service barge, as
defined in Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 1 of Offshore Rules.
1.3.2 Service notations
Units covered by the present Guidance Note may be
granted one of the service notation defined in Pt D, Ch 1,
Sec 1 of Offshore Rules.
1.3.3 Additional service features
The additional service features given in Tab 1, and detailed
in Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 2 of Offshore Rules, are mandatory for
units covered by the present Guidance Note.
July 2012
NI 593, Sec 1
1.3.4 Site, transit and navigation notations
Site, transit and navigation notations are granted in accor-
dance with the provisions of Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 2 of Offshore
Rules.
1.3.5 Additional class notation
The additional class notation stated in Tab 2 may be granted
to units covered by the present Guidance Note. Other addi-
tional class notation as given by Offshore Rules may be
granted on a case-by-case basis.
1.4 Society involvement
1.4.1 Classification of unit
In addition to the involvement of the Society defined in
Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 1 of Offshore Rules, the scope of classifica-
tion covers the conversion work survey as stated in [5].
For each project, the detailed boundaries for the classifica-
tion of units covered by the present Guidance Note are
defined by the Society on a case-by-case basis and with ref-
erence to the requested structural type and service nota-
tions, additional class notations and additional service
features.
As a rule, all connection details for foundation, support or
stool welded to the hull, for the portion interacting with the
hull, are within the scope of classification, independently of
the additional class notations.
1.5 Statutory requirements
1.5.1 Standards, rules and regulations
Prior to commencement of the review of drawings, the com-
plete list of Regulations, Codes and Statutory Requirements
to be complied with is to be submitted for information:
International Regulations
Flag state requirements
Coastal state requirements
Owner standards and procedures
Industry standards.
The project specification is also to specify the list of Owner
requested statutory certificates.
1.5.2 Conflict of Rules
In case of conflict between the Classification Rules and any
Statutory Requirements as given by Flag state or Coastal
State, the latter ones are to take precedence over the
requirements of the present Rules.
Bureau Veritas 5
NI 593, Sec 1

Table 1 : Additional service features

Additional service features Items covered

AUTO Automated installations enabling periodically unattended operations of machinery spaces
HEL Helideck fitted onboard the unit
POSA Mooring system
IG Inert gas system for cargo tanks
VeriSTAR-Hull Structural assessment through partial 3D finite element model

Table 2 : Additional class notations

Additional class notation Description Reference for definition

ALM Lifting and deck appliances Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 2, [6.2.2] of Offshore Rules
COMF HEALTH-NOISE-g Comfort and health requirements relating to noise level Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 2, [6.2.11] of Offshore Rules
COMF HEALTH-VIB-g Comfort and health requirements relating to vibration Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 2, [6.2.11] of Offshore Rules
level
HIPS High integrity protection systems Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 2, [6.2.12] of Offshore Rules
LSA Life saving appliances Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 2, [6.2.7] of Offshore Rules
Spectral Fatigue Fatigue check through spectral fatigue techniques Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 2, [6.2.13] of Offshore Rules
NI 539 Spectral Fatigue Analysis Methodology
for Ships and Offshore Units
STI Specific Thickness Increment (1) Pt A, Ch 1, sec 2, [6.2.10] of Offshore Rules
PROC Process plant on production units Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 2, [6.2.5] of Offshore Rules
NR459 Process Systems on board Offshore
Units and Installations.
RIPRO Risers Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 2, [6.2.6] of Offshore Rules
VeriSTAR-Hull FLM Structural assessment of the unit performed through Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 2, [6.2.14] of Offshore Rules
full length 3D finite element model
RBVS-xxx Classed units for which the Society provides risk based NI 567 Risk Based Verification of Offshore
verification services Units
IVBS Classed units for which the Society provides indepen- NI 567 Risk Based Verification of Offshore
dent verification services, acting as Independent Verifi- Units
cation Body
RBA Units for which the classification process is carried out NR568 Classification of Offshore Units - Risk
through a risk analysis approach Based Approach
(1) With reference to Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 3 [5.2.2] of Offshore Rules, STI values to be provided by party applying for classification
exclusively (bullet (b) is not to be considered).

1.6 Referenced documents 1.7.2 Conversion of a unit

1.6.1 Offshore Rules
Offshore Rules means Bureau Veritas Rules for the Classifi-
cation of Offshore Units (NR445). When reference is made
to the Offshore Rules, the latest version of these ones is
applicable.
1.6.2 Ship Rules
Ship Rules means Bureau Veritas Rules for the Classification
of Steel Ships (NR467). When reference is made to the Ship
Rules, the latest version of these ones is applicable.
1.7 Definitions
1.7.1 Definitions given in the Offshore Rules are to be con-
sidered for the purpose of the present Guidance Note.
For the purpose of the present Guidance Note, conversion
of a unit means the engineering, repair/renewal, modifica-
tion and/or construction works needed to transform an
existing unit or ship into an offshore surface unit as defined
in Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 1 [1.3.1] of Offshore Rules.
1.7.3 Redeployment of a unit
For the purpose of the present Guidance Note, redeploy-
ment of an existing offshore unit means the engineering,
repair/renewal, modification and/or construction works
needed in the following cases:
the unit is moved or installed on a new site
the operating life is extended beyond the previously
granted design life
major modifications are carried out.

6 Bureau Veritas July 2012


1.7.4 Ship areas / Offshore areas
The definition of ship areas and offshore areas are given in
Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 1 [1.3.6] and [1.3.7] of Offshore Rules.
1.7.5 Major modification of a unit
For the purpose of the present Guidance Note, major modi-
fication of a unit includes but is not limited to:
substantial extension of the topsides or superstructures
area or mass
addition of a new loading condition beyond the allow-
able hull girder loads in the loading manual of the unit
addition of a new heavy equipment inducing important
loads such as crane, winch, mooring line, riser, etc.
1.7.6 Requested Design Life after conversion (RDL)
The Requested Design Life after conversion, in years, corre-
sponds to the expected design life of the unit operated on the
considered site, after its conversion work or redeployment.
2 Design Criteria Statement
2.1 General
2.1.1 Classification is based upon the design data or
assumptions specified by the party applying for classifica-
tion. A Design Criteria Statement is a document listing the
services performed by the unit and the design conditions
and other assumptions on the basis of which class is
assigned to the unit.
The Design Criteria Statement is to be issued by the Society,
based on the information provided by the party applying for
classification.
The Design Criteria Statement is to be referred to on the
units Classification Certificates.
The Design Criteria Statement is to be incorporated in the
Operating Manual, as stated in Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 1, [3.4] of
Offshore Rules.
The Design Criteria Statement is to include what is specified
in Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 1, [6] of Offshore Rules.
3 Transit
3.1 General
3.1.1 During transit operations, requirements given in Pt D,
Ch 1, Sec 1, [1.7] of Offshore Rules are to be complied
with.
4 Inspection and testing
4.1 Conversion work survey
4.1.1 General
The survey occurring during conversion work is to include
as a minimum the requirements of class renewal survey in
terms of inspections, tests and checks as defined in Pt A,
Ch 2, Sec 1 of Offshore Rules and in particular:
complete scantling measurement to evaluate the condi-
tion of the unit
July 2012 Bureau Veritas
NI 593, Sec 1
Note 1: The extent of thickness measurements will be defined on
case-by-case basis.
close-up inspection of hot spot areas based on the map
of hot spots defined in Sec 3, [3.10.2].
bottom inspection
tank testing.
The required scantlings of the existing structure is to be
based on the renewal thickness during conversion work as
determined by reassessment calculations in Sec 3, [3].
4.1.2 Inspections construction survey
Inspections of the new steel structure are to be in accor-
dance with Pt B, Ch 3, Sec 6 of Offshore Rules.
A construction survey scheme is to be established in com-
pliance with NR426, Construction Survey of Steel Struc-
tures of Offshore Units and Installations. The construction
survey scheme is to include the inspection requirements for:
forming of rolled steel
welding of steel and qualification of welding procedure
and welders
welding inspection, (see App 1).
4.2 Tests and trials
4.2.1 Tests of the various compartments and watertight
members to be conducted in the presence of the surveyor are
to be in accordance with Pt B, Ch 3, Sec 7 of Offshore Rules.
4.3 Inspection during service on site
4.3.1 The inspections during service are to be according to
Pt A, Ch 2 of Offshore Rules.
The minimum structure acceptable scantling required dur-
ing service on site is to be based on renewal thickness in
service as defined in Sec 3, [1.2.7].
5 Structural assessment methodology
5.1 General
5.1.1 The party applying for classification is to propose a
structural assessment methodology in accordance with the
requirements of the present note. The assessment methodol-
ogy is to be reviewed and agreed by the Society.
5.1.2 A general structural assessment methodology is pro-
posed in Sec 3, [3.4].
6 Protection of the metallic hull structure
6.1 General
6.1.1 Protection system
It is the responsibility of the party applying for classification
to choose the system that will perform the protection of the
structure against corrosion.
7
NI 593, Sec 1

A protection system is composed of using one or a combi- site environmental data

nation of the following methods: operating loading conditions
application of protective coatings loading manual
cathodic protection requested design life after conversion
selection of material. thickness increments (notation STI, as relevant).
It is also the responsibility of the party applying for classifi- b) Hull structure condition:
cation to have the system applied in accordance with the assumed or measured thickness of hull structure.
manufacturers requirements.
c) Data for hydrodynamic analysis as in Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 4,
6.1.2 Protection methods [2] of Offshore Rules.
The protection methods, the design of corrosion protection 7.2.3 Actual ship documentation
systems is to be in accordance with the requirements of
Required documentation of the actual ship before conver-
Pt B, Ch 3 of Offshore Rules.
sion is to include the following information:
general arrangement drawings
6.2 Plan for the corrosion protection
capacity plan
6.2.1 An overall plan for the corrosion protection of the lines plan and appendices on hull
structure is to be prepared and submitted to the Society, in
structural drawings
accordance with the provisions of Pt B, Ch 3 of Offshore
Rules. trim and stability booklet
The plan for the corrosion is to cover the following areas of loading manual
the structure: repair and renewal history of hull structure
all external areas (submerged, splash zone,...) trading routes history.
internal areas (ballast, storage tanks,...). Note 1: As a rule, the routes history of the ship are to be provided
in purpose of the calculation of the actual fatigue damage. In
The plan for the corrosion is to take into account: the case where uncomplete routes history are provided, ade-
the intended duration of operations and conditions of quate assumptions on navigation coefficient are to be consid-
ered as stated in Sec 3, [5.2].
maintenance
the particular conditions in each area. 7.2.4 Unit documentation after conversion or
redeployment
7 Documents to be submitted The unit documentation corresponds to the drawings, cal-
culation notes and specifications of the converted or rede-
ployed unit.
7.1 General
a) General:
7.1.1 The documentation listed below is to be considered general arrangement
Calculation reports, test reports, drawings and plans rele-
general arrangement of the hazardous areas
vant for the application of the present Guidance Note are
also to be submitted. capacity plan
lines plan and appendices on hull.
b) Structural calculations and drawings:
7.2 Documents to be submitted prior to con- calculations assessment of the structure scantling
version work
hull structural drawings (showing rule gross thick-
7.2.1 Prior to conversion work, project documentation and ness and thickness increment (ti), see Sec 3)
structure assessment calculations are to be submitted to the table of renewal and reinforcement scantlings dur-
Society. ing conversion work.
In addition, the party applying for classification is to pro- c) Conversion work specification including:
vide the actual hull scantlings based on a complete hull sur-
foreseen steel renewal and structure reinforcements
vey or wastage assumptions of the steel structure as
requested in [7.2.3]. close-up inspection program based on the map of
the hot spot areas (see Sec 3, [3.10.2]).
7.2.2 Project documentation
The project documentation corresponds to the hypothesis 7.3 Classification of unit
and data used in the project specification.
7.3.1 Required documentation to be submitted for classifi-
a) Design criteria and data: cation purpose is to include what those specified in Pt D,
items defined in [3] Ch 1, Sec 1 [7] of Offshore Rules.

8 Bureau Veritas July 2012

 NI 593, Sec 2

SECTION 2 DESIGN LOADS

1 General loads from limiting conditions before the disconnection

from single point mooring, if relevant

1.1 Application loads during maintenance or inspection operations

transit/towing loads, from the conversion location to off-
1.1.1 The present Section provides requirements for design shore site
loads applied for structural assessment of the unit.
loads induced by process and other equipment, in
Design loads are to be as per Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 5 of Offshore above conditions, as relevant
Rules.
flooding loads
Load cases considered for fatigue assessment are not
collision loads.
included in the present Section. Relevant requirements are
given in Sec 3, [5].
2 Hydrodynamic analysis
1.2 Documentation
2.1 Principle
1.2.1 All documents deemed necessary for the evaluation
of the design loads of the unit before conversion or re- 2.1.1 Application
assessment works are to be provided.
Hydrodynamics analysis is to be performed for both on site
conditions and towing/transit phases.
1.3 Design loads
Hydrodynamic calculations are mandatory and are to be
1.3.1 Loading conditions conducted as specified in Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 4 of Offshore
Rules.
Loading conditions are to be representative of every config-
uration of weight distribution as defined in the unit loading 2.1.2 Objectives
manual.
The hydrodynamic analysis purpose is to obtain the param-
As a rule, the loading conditions considered for the primary eters related to wave loading defined in [2.1.3] for on site
supporting members analysis are to include the design load- and transit /towing conditions.
ing conditions specified in Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 7 [5.5] of Off-
shore Rules. Loading conditions which are prohibited in The main steps of the analysis are:
operation are to be explicitly mentioned in the loading a) Determine the unit responses for combination sets of
manual. headings, advance speeds and loading conditions.
Loading conditions are to be separated into five categories: b) Determine the design extreme values of parameters
maximum/minimum conditions related to wave loading.

intermediate conditions c) Determine the factors of environment by comparison of

the design extreme values with Rules values as defined
inspection conditions
in Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 5 [3.1] of the Offshore Rules. The fac-
towing/transit condition tors of environment are to be taken not less than 0,65.
accidental loading conditions. Note 1: In case a navigation notation completes the site notation of
the unit, the values of factors of environment are to be taken as
1.3.2 Load cases given in Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 5, Tab 1 of the Offshore Rules.

For each loading condition the load cases defined in Pt D,

2.1.3 Parameters related to wave loading
Ch 1, Sec 5 [1.3.3] of Offshore Rules are to be considered.
The hydrodynamic analysis is to result in the following
1.3.3 Loads parameters:
The assessment of the structure is to consider relevant loads wave induced vertical bending moment
associated with loading conditions including: wave induced vertical shear force
still water loads motions and accelerations in the three directions
extreme environmental loads during units expected life including gravity
offloading loads, if relevant relative wave elevation.

July 2012 Bureau Veritas 9

NI 593, Sec 2

The values of these parameters have to be specified over the 3 Transit conditions
length of the unit. Unit motions at centre of gravity are also
to be calculated. 3.1 General

2.1.4 On site conditions and navigation notation
On a case-by-case basis, the Society may exempt the con-
verted units from hydrodynamic analysis provided that a
navigation notation completes the site notation of the unit
and the site conditions are considered less severe than the
navigation notation.
3.1.1 Transit wave loads are to be evaluated according to
[2].
On a case-by-case basis, the Society may exempt the unit
from hydrodynamic analysis provided that a navigation
notation completes the transit notation of the unit and the
actual transit conditions are considered less severe than the
navigation notation.

10 Bureau Veritas July 2012


SECTION 3 STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT
Symbols
Age : Age of ship at the time of conversion, in years
D : Fatigue Damage ratio
RDL : Requested Design Life after conversion work, in
years, defined in Sec 1, [1.7.6].
1 General
1.1 Scope
1.1.1 The present Section provides guidelines and require-
ments for the structural assessment of Surface Offshore
Units based on conversion and for redeployment of existing
offshore units.
1.1.2 Units covered by the present Guidance Note are to
comply with the Pt D, Ch 1 of Offshore Rules.
1.2 Definitions
1.2.1 Reassessed net thickness (treass)
The reassessed net thickness is the net scantling value of the
existing structure which satisfies the structural checks. The
reassessed net thickness may be lower or higher than exist-
ing hull scantling.
For new structure, the net thickness, tnet, is used.
1.2.2 Rule corrosion additions (tc)
Rule corrosion additions are to be considered in the struc-
tural assessment and calculated as defined in [2.3].
1.2.3 Thickness increment (ti)
Thickness increments may be added for the new structural
parts to the rule gross thickness when requested by the party
applying for classification, under the scope of the additional
class notation STI.
The thickness increment values are to be provided by party
applying for classification preferably at the earliest stage of
the project and to be stated in the Design Criteria Statement
(see Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 3 [5.2.2] of Offshore Rules, bullet (b) is
not to be considered).
1.2.4 Renewal thickness increment (tRi)
When requested by the party applying for classification,
renewal thickness increments may be added to rule corro-
sion additions in the determination of renewal thickness
during conversion work (see Fig 1).
The renewal thickness increment values are to be provided
by party applying for classification preferably at the earliest
stage of the project and to be stated in the Design Criteria
Statement.
July 2012
NI 593, Sec 3
1.2.5 Renewal thickness during conversion work
(trenew)
The renewal thickness during conversion work is the gross
scantling value under which the steel plate is to be changed
because of corrosion or reinforcement matters. Renewal
thickness during conversion work is determined according
to [3.3.5].
1.2.6 Rule gross thickness (tG)
The rule gross thickness is equal to the (reassessed) net
thickness plus the rule corrosion addition tc.
1.2.7 Minimum acceptable thickness in service (tmin)
The minimum acceptable thickness in service is the thick-
ness to be compared against measured scantling during
inspection in service of the unit as per Pt A of Offshore
Rules.
1.2.8 Substantial corrosion thickness (tsub)
Substantial corrosion is an extent of corrosion such that
assessment of the corrosion pattern indicates a wastage in
excess of 75% of allowable margins, but within acceptable
limits.
The substantial corrosion thickness is determined according
to [3.3.4].
1.2.9 Wastage allowance in service (W)
The wastage allowance in service is the maximum percent-
age of acceptable wastage as defined in Pt A, Ch 2, App 3
of the Ship Rules. For renewal thickness during conversion
work purpose, the wastage allowance is to be taken from
Tab 2.
1.2.10 Reassessed as-built thickness (tas-built)
The reassessed as-built thickness is taken as:
tas-built = tG + ti
1.2.11 Thickness measured (tM)
The thickness measured means the gauged thickness issued
from the hull survey during conversion work. The require-
ments for thickness measurements and in particular the
extent and location of the measures are defined in Sec 1,
[4.1].
Bureau Veritas 11
NI 593, Sec 3

2 Corrosion tc = tc max

where:
2.1 Measured hull scantling
cR : Corrosion rate in mm per year to be taken from
Tab 1
2.1.1 A hull survey with complete measurements of the
scantlings is required to evaluate the corrosion status of the tc max : To be taken from Tab 1.
unit as specified in Sec 1, [4.1].
tc : To be taken not smaller than 0,25 mm for each
exposed side.
2.2 Net scantling approach
If the party applying for classification specifies values of
2.2.1 Except when otherwise specified, the structural corrosion additions greater than those defined in Tab 1, the
assessments performed in the requirements of this section difference is to be stated in Design Criteria Statement as
are based on net thickness (tnet or treass). thickness increments ti or tRi.

2.2.2 New steel structure

2.3.2 In general, the maximum corrosion addition (tc max) to
For new steel structure, the net thickness is to be taken as be considered for the plating forming the boundary
follow:
between two compartments of different types is equal to:
tnet = tas-built tc ti for plating with a gross thickness greater than 10 mm,
the sum of the values specified in Tab 1 for one side
2.2.3 Existing steel structure exposure to each compartment
For existing steel structure, the net thickness coincides with for plating with a gross thickness less than or equal to 10
the reassessed net thickness (treass) defined in [1.2.1]. mm, the smallest of the following values:

2.2.4 Net thickness for Finite Element Model - 20% of the gross thickness of the plating

For all finite element models, the net thickness of plating is
to be obtained by deducting half of the corrosion addition tc
from the rule gross thickness, as stated in Pt B, Ch 4, Sec 2
[2.1.5] of Ship Rules.
2.3 Values of corrosion additions
2.3.1 As a rule, values of rule corrosion additions tc for
each exposed side are to be the smallest of:
tc = cR RDL
- sum of the values specified in Tab 1 for one side
exposure to each compartment.
For an internal member within a given compartment, or for
plating forming the boundary between two compartments
of the same type, the corrosion addition to be considered is
twice the value specified in Tab 1 for one side exposure to
that compartment.
2.3.3 For structural members made of stainless steel, the
corrosion addition tc is to be taken equal to 0.

Table 1 : Corrosion additions tC and corrosion rate CR, for each exposed side

General (1) Upper zone (2)

Compartment type cR tc max cR tc max
mm/yr mm mm/yr mm
Ballast tank (3) 0,050 1,00 0,063 1,25
Cargo oil tank and fuel oil tank Plating of horizontal surfaces 0,038 0,75 0,050 1,00
Plating of non-horizontal surfaces 0,025 0,50 0,050 1,00
Ordinary stiffeners and primary supporting members 0,038 0,75 0,050 1,00
Accommodation space 0,000 0,00 0,000 0,00
Compartments other than those mentioned above
0,025 0,50 0,025 0,50
Outside sea and air
(1) General: corrosion additions tc are applicable to all members of the considered item with possible exceptions given for upper
and lower zones.
(2) Upper zone: area within 1,5 m below the top of the tank or the hold. This is not to be applied to tanks in the double bottom.
(3) Ballast tank: does not include cargo oil tanks which may carry ballast according to Regulation 3 of MARPOL 73/78.

12 Bureau Veritas July 2012

 NI 593, Sec 3

Figure 1 : Determination of renewal thickness



 
   






      

   

3 Structural assessment - ship area
3.1 Application
3.1.1 As a rule, the structural assessment of the ship areas is
mandatory and is to be conducted according to Pt D, Ch 1
of Offshore Rules.
On a case-by-case basis, the Society may grant exemptions
from structural assessment provided the conditions defined
in [3.2] are satisfied.
3.2 Structural assessment exemption
3.2.1 Strength assessment exemption
On a case-by-case basis, the Society may grant exemption
from yielding and buckling checks and hull girder strength
verification provided the following conditions are respected:
the new scantling draft is equal or lower than the actual
one and,
the new maximum cargo density is equal or lower than
the actual one and,
the new still water hull girder loads are inside the actual
allowable limit curves and,
the new wave loads are considered less severe than
unrestricted navigation (or actual navigation notation) or
less severe than the previous site conditions and,
the corrosion status of the hull structure is under the
renewal limits defined in Pt A, Ch 2 of Ship Rules.
Exemption do not apply to additional structural assessment
to be conducted under requirements of [3.8].
3.2.2 Fatigue assessment exemption
On a case-by-case basis, the Society may grant exemption
from structural fatigue assessment provided that the
requested design life after conversion work added to the age
of the unit is less than the as-built design life.
July 2012
 


3.3 Determination of steel renewal
3.3.1 Reassessed scantlings determination
The reassessed scantlings are to be determined by the party
applying for classification and are to satisfy the structural
checks in [3.4.1].
The purpose of reassessed scantlings determination is to
establish the renewal thicknesses or reinforcements for con-
version work and renewal thicknesses for future inspection
during service.
3.3.2 Rule gross scantling determination
The rule gross thickness is obtained according to the follow-
ing formula:
tG = treass + tc
3.3.3 Minimum acceptable scantling in service
determination
The criteria for minimum acceptable scantling in service are
given in Pt A, Ch 2 of Ship Rules.
3.3.4 Substantial corrosion scantling determination
The substantial corrosion tsub scantling is obtained accord-
ing to the following formula (see Fig 1):
t sub = 1 0.75 ---------- t G
W
100
where:
W : Wastage allowance.
For the purpose of determination of renewal thickness dur-
ing conversion work, the wastage allowance in service to
consider corresponds to the item verification criteria as
defined in Pt A, Ch 2, App 3 of Ship Rules and reproduced
in Tab 2. This criterion takes into consideration the average
condition of the item, which is assessed by determining its
average thickness using the various measurements taken on
the same item.
Bureau Veritas 13
NI 593, Sec 3

Table 2 : Wastage allowances

Description of items W (%)

ITEMS CONTRIBUTING TO THE LONGITUDINAL STRENGTH (TRANSVERSE SECTION)
DECK ZONE
Deck plating, deck stringer, sheer strake and longitudinal bulkhead upper strake (1) 20
Deck and sheer strake longitudinals web 20
flange 15
Deck longitudinal girders web 20
flange 15
Longitudinals connected to long. bulkhead upper strake (1) web 20
flange 15
NEUTRAL AXIS ZONE
Side shell plating (1) 20
Side shell longitudinals and stringers (1) web 20
flange 15
Longitudinal bulkhead plating 20
Longitudinal bulkhead longitudinals and stringers web 20
flange 15
BOTTOM ZONE
Bilge and bottom strakes, longitudinal bulkhead lower strake and keel plate (1) 20
Bilge and bottom longitudinals (1) web 20
flange 15
Longitudinals connected to longitud. bulkhead lower strake web 20
flange 15
Bottom girders web 20
flange 15
OTHER ITEMS
Deck transverse web frame web 20
flange 15
brackets / stiffeners 20
Side shell web frame web 20
flange 15
brackets / stiffeners 20
Longitudinal bulkhead web frame web 20
flange 15
brackets / stiffeners 20
Bottom transverse web frame web 20
flange 15
brackets / stiffeners 20
Cross tie web 15
flange 15
brackets / stiffeners 15
Transverse bulkheads (2) plating 20
stringer web 20
stringer flange 15
stiffener web 20
stiffener flange 15
(1) The structural elements of the inner skin (plating, longitudinals, girders, bulkheads) are to be included in the corresponding ele-
ments of the outer skin.
(2) Including swash bulkheads, forward and aft peak bulkheads.

14 Bureau Veritas July 2012

 NI 593, Sec 3

3.3.5 Renewal scantling during conversion work minor collision

determination
dropped objects
The renewal or reinforcement scantling values for conver-
sion work are obtained with the below formula (see Fig 1): g) Verification of renewal scantlings
trenew = tsub + tc + tRi hull girder checks
As a rule, trenew is to be greater or equal to treass. If not, the ultimate strength check
renewal scantlings are to be verified against buckling as buckling check.
defined in [3.11.4] and the hull girder transverse sections
Note 1: It is recommended to proceed to iterative calculations for
are to be verified against ultimate strength as defined in the determination of minimum values of reassessed scantlings, as
[3.11.3]. shown in Fig 2, in order to obtain the minimum steel renewal values.
In any case, a verification of the renewal scantlings against
hull girder yielding strength is to be conducted according to 3.5 Local structural assessment
[3.11.2].
The renewal or reinforcement scantlings are to be submitted 3.5.1 Yielding and buckling check
to the Society, preferably in the form of structural drawings The hull reassessed net scantlings are to comply with Pt D,
with tables of renewal and reinforcement scantlings in Ch 1, Sec 7 of Offshore Rules.
appendix.
3.5.2 Loads lowering from new equipment
3.3.6 Renewal and measured scantlings
comparison The local structural assessment due to new loads lowering
is mandatory. In addition, global reassessment due to new
The measured thicknesses (tM) are to be compared with the
local loads may be required when deemed necessary (eg.
renewal thicknesses (trenew). Depending on the result, the
topsides).
party applying for classification may take the following
option:
3.6 Hull girder strength
a) If tM trenew, hence:
No steel renewal nor reinforcement are necessary. 3.6.1 The hull girder transverse sections are to comply with
b) If tM < trenew, hence: Pt D, ch 1, Sec 6 of Offshore Rules. The following checks
have to be conducted:
The structural item is to be changed.
hull girder yielding checks, with gross section character-
The new plate thickness is to be not less than the
istics based on rule gross scantlings
reassessed as-built thickness (tas-built).
ultimate strength, with net section characteristics based
3.4 Methodology on reassessed net scantlings.

3.4.1 The recommended methodology for structural assess- 3.7 Fatigue

ment is illustrated by the flow chart in Fig 2. Alternative
methodology may be accepted provided that the following 3.7.1 The fatigue checks of the reassessed net scantlings are
structural checks are included: to be conducted according to [5]
a) Local structural assessment:
yielding check 3.8 Additional structural assessment
buckling check
3.8.1 Sloshing
b) Hull girder strength:
The sloshing assessment in the cargo tanks is mandatory
hull girder yielding checks and is to be conducted according to Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 5 [6.3]
ultimate strength check of Offshore Rules.
c) Fatigue: However, on a case-by-case basis, the Society may grant
fatigue check of longitudinals members exemptions from sloshing assessment provided the new
loading conditions do not include any partial loading of
d) Finite element analysis with partial 3D model: cargo tanks which are not included in the actual loading
primary supporting members yield and buckling manual.
checks
fatigue check of structural details 3.8.2 Slamming
e) Additionnal structural assessment The slamming assessment on the hull bottom is mandatory
and is to be conducted according to Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 8 [3] of
sloshing check
Offshore Rules.
slamming check
However, on a case-by-case basis, the Society may grant
f) Local structural improvements exemptions from slamming assessment provided the new
protection to explosion minimum draft is higher than actual one.

July 2012 Bureau Veritas 15

NI 593, Sec 3

Figure 2 : Flow chart of the recommended methodology for structural assessment

DESIGN LOADS HULL SCANTLING DATA
Hull girder still water loads
Hull girder wave loads Assumed reassessed scantling
Local loads Additional reinforcement
Specific loads for offshore areas
(topsides, support and stools, turret, ... )

LOCAL STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT

Yielding check Buckling check

HULL GIRDER STRENGTH Reassessed Increase

Hull girder yielding check NO
scantling reassessed
Ultimate strength check satisfactory ? scantling

YES

FATIGUE Reassessed NO
Fatigue check of longitutinal members scantling
satisfactory ?

YES

3D FE MODEL Reassessed NO
Yield check Fatigue check scantling
Buckling check Offshore areas check satisfactory ?

YES

ADDITIONAL STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT Reassessed NO

scantling
Sloshing check Slamming check satisfactory ?

YES

LOCAL STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS Reassessed

Protection to explosion NO
scantling
Minor collision satisfactory ?
Dropped objects

YES

TABLE OF STRUCTURE RENEWAL

AND
REINFORCEMENT SCANTLINGS

VERIFICATION OF RENEWAL SCANTLINGS Reassessed

Hull girder yielding check NO
Ultimate strength check scantling
satisfactory ?
Buckling check

YES

END OF STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT

16 Bureau Veritas July 2012


3.9 Local structural improvements
3.9.1 The following calculations for structural improve-
ments are to be conducted:
Protection to explosions: see Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 9 [3] of
Offshore Rules
Minor collision: see Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 9 [4] of Offshore
Rules
Dropped objects: see Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 9 [5] of Offshore
Rules.
3.10 Finite Element Analysis
3.10.1 Application
Structural assessment through partial 3D finite element
model is mandatory for units intended to be granted with a
classification notation as given in Sec 1, [1.3].
The finite element analysis is to be conducted according to
Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 7 of Offshore Rules.
The purpose of finite element analysis is to:
assess the primary structure for yielding and buckling
checks, and
define the hot spots areas as defined in [3.10.2], and
check the fatigue criteria of structural details as defined
in [5].
Note 1: In addition, units intended to receive the additional nota-
tion VeriSTAR-Hull FLM are to comply with the requirements of
NR551 Structural Analysis of Offshore Surface Units through Full
Length Finite Elements Models.
3.10.2 Hot spot areas
For the purpose of the additional service feature VeriSTAR-
Hull, the party applying for classification is to provide a hot
spot map as defined in Pt E, Ch 1, Sec 1 of Ship Rules.
The purpose of the map of the hot spots is to locate the
areas subject to close-up inspections as defined in Pt A,
Ch 2, Sec 2 [2.2.4] of Ship Rules.
The items to be included in the hot spot map are, in general,
the following:
items (such as a plating panels, ordinary stiffeners or pri-
mary supporting members) for which the structural anal-
ysis shows that the ratio between the stresses from
applied loads and the allowable limits exceed 0,975
items identified as hot spot item during structural reas-
sessment taking into account actual conditions revealed
by updated thickness gaugings
structural details subjected to fatigue analysis. As a rule
only fatigue details with a calculated damage ratio
above 0,5 are to be included in the hot spot map
other items, depending on the results of the structural
analyses and/or on experience.
3.11 Verification of renewal scantling
3.11.1 Application
The renewal scantling during conversion work is to be
checked according to the following conditions:
July 2012
NI 593, Sec 3
in every case, the hull girder yielding check is to be con-
ducted as defined in [3.11.2]
if, for any longitudinal member, the renewal scantling
(trenew) is lower than the reassessed scantling (treass), the
ultimate strength and the hull girder buckling strength
have to be checked according to [3.11.3] and [3.11.4]
respectively.
3.11.2 Hull girder yielding check
The section modulus of the hull girder transverse sections
are to be not less than the section modulus defined in Pt D,
Ch 1, Sec 6 [2.3] of Offshore Rules.
The shear stresses induced by hull girder loads and
obtained according to Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 6 [2.1.3] of Offshore
Rules, are to be not less than the allowable stress defined in
Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 6 [2.2.2] of Offshore Rules.
The check is to be done with gross section characteristics
based on trenew tRi.
3.11.3 Ultimate strength
When deemed necessary according [3.11.1], the ultimate
strength of the hull girder is to be checked according to
Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 6 [3] of Offshore Rules.
The check is to be done with net section characteristics
based on trenew tRi.
3.11.4 Hull girder buckling strength
When deemed necessary according [3.11.1], the buckling
strength of longitudinal plating, ordinary stiffeners and pri-
mary supporting members is to be checked according to
Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 7 of Offshore Rules. Only hull girder normal
and shear stresses need to be considered for buckling
check.
The check is to be done taking trenew tRi as net thickness.
4 Structural assessment - offshore area
4.1 Principles
4.1.1 The offshore areas are defined in Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 3
[1.1] of Offshore Rules.
4.1.2 The structural assessment of the offshore areas should
be conducted according to Pt B, Ch 3 of Offshore Rules.
Special consideration is to be given to fatigue checks of
existing offshore areas in case of redeployment or extension
of design life of offshore units.
4.2 Structural categorization
4.2.1 Structural elements in welded steel constructions are
classed into three categories: second, first and special cate-
gories as listed:
Second category: Second category elements are struc-
tural elements of minor importance, the failure of which
might induce only localised effects.
First category: First category elements are main load car-
rying elements essential to the overall structural integrity
of the unit.
Bureau Veritas 17
NI 593, Sec 3
Special category: Special category elements are parts of
first category elements located in way or at the vicinity
of critical load transmission areas and of stress concen-
tration locations.
4.2.2 The Society may, where deemed necessary, upgrade
any structural element to account for particular consider-
ations such as novel design features or restrictions regarding
access for quality control and in-service inspections.
4.2.3 Structural categories are to be indicated on the draw-
ings submitted to the Society for approval.
5 Fatigue
5.1 General
5.1.1 Procedure
The procedure to be followed is detailed below:
a) Calculate the past life accumulated fatigue damage
ratio, Dpast, of the detail.
b) Calculate the fatigue damage ratio during transit phase
when deemed necessary, Dtow.
c) Calculate the fatigue damage ratio on site, Dsite.
d) Calculate low cycle fatigue damage ratio due to load-
ing/unloading when deemed necessary, Dlow.
The structural elements which are added or renewed during
conversion work are not subject of Dpast calculations.
5.1.2 Methods for fatigue analysis
For units intended to be granted the additional class nota-
tion Spectral Fatigue, the fatigue analysis is to be performed
according to NI 539 Spectral Fatigue Analysis Methodol-
ogy for Ships and Offshore Units.
For all other units, a deterministic fatigue analysis with
loads derived from hydrodynamic analysis is to be con-
ducted.
If a navigation notation is granted, a deterministic fatigue
analysis is to be conducted with loads derived from the nav-
igation notation.
5.1.3 Structural details
The selection of structural details to be evaluated is to result
from a screening analysis agreed with the Society. The list of
minimum structural details to be checked is provided in
Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 7 of Offshore Rules.
5.1.4 Corrosion addition
The net scantling considered for fatigue calculations is to be
as given in [2.2].
5.2 Past life accumulated fatigue damage
5.2.1 Accumulated damage calculations are to be assessed
based on unit past life.
For conversion of a ship, the evaluation of accumulated
fatigue damage may be based on routes history, if available,
as defined in [5.2.2] or on defaults assumptions based on
unrestricted navigation, as defined in [5.2.3].
18 Bureau Veritas
For redeployment or life extension of an existing offshore
unit, the evaluation of accumulated fatigue damage is to be
based on past site conditions, and transit from construction
yard to previous site when deemed necessary.
Note 1: The extent of the design fatigue calculation is to take into
account any systematic fatigue deteriorations found during the hull
survey. Similarly, the Society may require additional fatigue analy-
sis if systematic fatigue deteriorations are discovered after submis-
sion of fatigue calculations.
5.2.2 Accumulated damage based on unit history
When available, accumulated damage ratio of the unit may
be assessed based on trading routes history:
Past fatigue life: age of the ship (Age)
Sailing factor: based on history of ship
Loading conditions: based on history of ship or by
default: part of ships sailing life in full load is to be
taken as 0,6 and in ballast as 0,4
Wave statistics data: based on history of ship
By using available wave statistics data on the routes, a scat-
ter diagram giving probability of wave heights and wave
periods is to be built. The methodology of decomposition of
trading routes history is to be provided.
If the additional class notation Spectral Fatigue is intended
to be granted to the unit, spectral fatigue approach is to be
used according to NI 539. For this purpose, 2D structural
analysis of the longitudinal stiffeners may be accepted by
the Society as an alternative to Finite Element Analysis.
5.2.3 Accumulated damage based on default
assumptions
If complete trading routes history of the ship is not avail-
able, defaults assumptions are to be considered:
Past fatigue life: age of the ship (Age)
Sailing factor: 0,85
Two loading conditions: ballast and full load. Part of
ships sailing life in full load is to be taken as 0.6 and in
ballast as 0,4 except otherwise specified based on his-
tory of ship
Wave statistics data: North Atlantic
The cumulative damage ratio, D, is to be calculated based
on deterministic approach according to the methodology
described in Pt B, Ch 7, Sec 4 of Ship Rules.
As the damage ratio D is calculated for a design life of 20
years, Dpast is to be obtained with the following formula:
Age
D past = D ----------
20
5.2.4 Repair or reinforcement during ship history
If such repairs have been performed then Dpast is to be eval-
uated by using the repaired detail instead of the as-built
detail and by replacing age of the vessel by the age of the
repaired detail.
July 2012
 NI 593, Sec 3

5.3 Fatigue damage on site
5.3.1 Wave environment
Wave scatter diagrams for on-site conditions are to be sub-
mitted and used for fatigue calculations.
5.3.2 On site damage calculations Dsite
On-site fatigue damage Dsite is to be assessed according to
Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 7 of Offshore Rules.
For units intended to be granted the additional class nota-
tion Spectral Fatigue, spectral fatigue calculations accord-
ing to NI 539 are to be performed to determine on-site
fatigue damage. For this purpose, 2D structural analysis of
the longitudinal stiffeners may be accepted by the Society
as an alternative to Finite Element Analysis.
For all other units, deterministic methodology based on the
principles of Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 7 [7.4] of Offshore Rules is to
be performed.
When calculating Dsite, RDL of the unit on site is to be
used.
Loading patterns used for the fatigue analysis is to be based
on the loading/unloading sequences on site. By default four
loading conditions as described in Pt D, Ch 1, Sec 7 of Off-
shore Rules are to be used.
5.3.3 Low cycle damage calculations Dlow
The fatigue due to loading/unloading are to be assessed
when deemed necessary.
By default one loading/unloading per week is taken into
account. In this case the calculation is to take into account
the wave at a probability level not less than 104.
5.4 Fatigue criteria
5.4.1 Checking Criteria
The following criteria is to be fulfilled:
Dpast + SFtowDtow + SFsiteDsite + SFlowDlow < 1
where:
SFtow, SFsite, SFlow: Safety Factors as defined in Tab 3.
Typically, for spectral fatigue analysis, SF = 2 for details of
connection of longitudinal stiffeners with transverse bulk-
head or primary member.
If above criteria is not fulfilled, then fatigue life of structural
details is to be increased by suitable design according to
Pt B, Ch 3, Sec 3, [7] of the Offshore Rules.
Regular monitoring of the details may be accepted on a
case by case basis by the Society instead of reinforcements
for increasing fatigue life. This may be accepted only if the
concerned details have never experienced any crack in the
past life of the unit.

Table 3 : Fatigue damage safety factors

Deterministic analysis with Deterministic analysis with

Method Spectral analysis (3)
navigation notation (1) hydrodynamic loads (2)
Safety factor 1 2 see Tab 4
(1) Loads derived from navigation notation
(2) Loads derived from hydrodynamic analysis
(3) Fatigue damage derived from spectral analysis

Table 4 : Safety factors for spectral fatigue analysis

Degree of accessibility for inspection, maintenance and repair

Consequence of failure
Not accessible (1) Underwater inspection (2) Dry inspection
Critical (3) 10 4 2
Non-critical 5 2 1
(1) Includes areas that can be inspected in dry or underwater conditions but require heavy works such as dry-docking for repair.
(2) Includes areas that can be inspected in dry conditions but with extensive preparation and heavy impact on operation.
(3) Critical damage as per risk analysis including loss of life, uncontrolled pollution, collision, sinking, other major damage to the
installations and major production losses. When risk analysis report categorizing structural elements as critical or non-critical is
not available, all structural elements are to considered as critical.

July 2012 Bureau Veritas 19

NI 593, App 1
APPENDIX 1 WELDING INSPECTION
1 General
1.1 Scope
1.1.1 This Appendix provides recommendations and
requirements to carry out welding inspections for the Off-
shore areas of the structure.
The recommendations for welding inspections of ship areas
of the structure are provided in Pt B, Ch 12, Sec 1 of Ship
Rules.
The general requirements relevant to fabrication by welding
and qualification of welding procedures are given in
NR216, Materials and Welding.
1.1.2 Each Builder is to have, at the disposal of his yard, a
department entrusted with the inspection of welding opera-
tions.
The Society's Surveyors cannot be expected to act as substi-
tutes to such a department for the work to be undertaken.
1.1.3 During construction, the Builder is to check that
welding is carried out satisfactorily and in conformity with
qualified welding procedures. Destructive testing (produc-
tion tests) may be required, especially in case of modifica-
tion of the welding procedures during construction.
1.1.4 The weld inspection includes:
production tests, if required
a complete visual inspection of all welds
non-destructive inspections (magnetic particle inspec-
tion, dye-penetrant inspection, ultrasonic inspection, X-
Ray inspection or other methods), the procedures of
which are to be the subject of an agreement between the
Builder and the Society, before the construction starts.
1.1.5 Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) operators are to be
qualified according to a nationally recognised scheme with
a grade equivalent to level II qualification of ISO 9712,
SNT-TC-1A, EN473 or ASNT Central Certification Program
(ACPP). Operators qualified to level I may be engaged in the
tests under the supervision of personnel qualified to level II
or III.
Personnel responsible for the preparation and approval of
NDT procedures are to be qualified to a grade equivalent to
level III of ISO 9712, SNT-TC-1A, EN473, ACCP or ASNT.
Personnel qualifications are to be verified by certification.
1.2 Production tests
1.2.1 During construction, production tests may be
required by the Society to check the mechanical character-
istics of the welds produced according to each welding pro-
cedure.
20
The frequency and types of tests are to be defined in agree-
ment with the Society before the beginning of fabrication.
2 Visual inspection
2.1
2.1.1 A procedure defining tolerances of weld bead geom-
etry and (un)acceptable apparent weld imperfections is to
be submitted to the Society.
2.1.2 With reference to the procedure defined in [2.1.1], a
visual inspection of the welds is to be made by personnel
designated by the Builder.
2.1.3 In any cases, the welds are to be free from cracks and
significant planar defects.
2.1.4 Major butt and fillet welds are to be free from appre-
ciable undercuts. Defects are to be repaired and, if they are
too many of them, the weld is to be completely repeated
using the approved procedure.
2.1.5 For welds of special category elements, a check is to
be made to ensure that over-thicknesses and under-thick-
nesses are in accordance with the standard accepted by the
Society. In the case of an abnormal over-thickness, the weld
is to be ground; in the case of an abnormal under-thickness,
building up is to be performed by welding to ensure proper
stress continuity, according to an approved procedure.
3 Non-destructive testing
3.1 General
3.1.1 All non-destructive tests to be carried out on the
welds are to be defined at the initial project stage.
These non destructive tests include:
liquid penetrant testing (for defects emerging on the sur-
face)
magnetic particle testing (acceptable only for defects
close to the surface and emerging on the surface)
X-Ray or Gamma-Ray testing
ultrasonic testing.
The techniques are to be selected according to the joint
quality to be obtained, to the assembly type and shape, to
the thickness, etc.
Eddy currents, acoustic testing, etc., may be used after
approval by the Society.
Bureau Veritas July 2012
 NI 593, App 1

For steels with specified minimum yield stress of 420N/mm
NDT shall not be carried out before 48 hours after comple-
tion of welding. Where post weld heat treatment (PWHT) is
carried out the requirement for testing after 48 hours can be
relaxed.
3.1.2 The extent of non destructive testing is to be defined
according to the category of the element to be welded and
to the weld type. Tab 1 gives minimum extent of NDT to be
performed by the Builder.
3.1.3 Exemptions to the extent of NDT may be admitted by
the Society where justified in writing by the organization of
the Builder.
3.2 X-Ray or Gamma-Ray testing
3.2.1 X-Ray or Gamma-Ray inspection is to be used for
structure butt welded joints as specified by Tab 1, according
to a procedure to be submitted to the Society for approval.
The number and location of X-Ray or Gamma-Ray photo-
graphs are to be determined jointly by the Builder and the
Society according to the construction type, service condi-
tions and elements of the structure concerned, on the base
of a minimum number of films as specified by Tab 1.
The number of the X-Ray or Gamma-Ray photographs may
be increased at the request of the Surveyor, mainly when
the visual inspection or X-Ray, Gamma-Ray or ultrasonic
soundings which have been previously carried out show
major defects.
3.2.2 The following is to be fulfilled:
the technique is to be in accordance with a recognized
standard accepted by the Society
the image quality is to be verified using an Image Qual-
ity Indicator (IQI) in accordance with ISO 2504 or
equivalent. The minimum image quality should be in
accordance with Class A of ISO 17636 or equivalent
optical density is to lie within 2,0 (1.8 for X-rays) and
4,0.
3.2.3 An approval test of X-Ray or Gamma-Ray inspection
procedure may be required by the Surveyor.

Table 1 : Minimum extent of non destructive testing

Element category Inspection method

Weld type
(1) (2) Visual X-Ray or Gamma-Ray (3) UT (4) Magnetic particle (5)
Special Buttweld 100% 100% of crossings and 100% of non X-Ray 100%
10% of welds (6) (7) (8) inspected welds (6)
Full penetration 100% 100% 100%
angle weld (9)
Limited penetration 100% 100%
fillet weld (10)
First Buttweld 100% 10% of welds including 10% of non X-Ray 20% (6) (8)
crossings (6) (7) (8) inspected welds (6) (8)
Full penetration 100% 20% (6) (8) 20% (6) (8)
angle weld (9)
Limited penetration 100% 20% (6) (8)
fillet weld (10)
Second Buttweld 100% at random (6) (11) (6) at random (6) (11)
Full penetration 100% at random (6) (11) at random (6) (11)
angle weld (9)
Limited penetration 100% at random (6) (11)
fillet weld (10)
(1) In particular cases, weld category may be different from the structural category. In such case, the weld category is to be indi-
cated on the drawings submitted to the Society for approval.
(2) In case of welds between two different categories, the welds are to be inspected according to the higher category.
(3) For thicknesses equal to 50 mm and over, ultrasonic inspection may be used instead of Gamma or X-Ray inspection.
(4) Ultrasonic inspection is to be carried out for thicknesses exceeding 12 mm. For 12 mm or under, Gamma or X-Ray are to be
used (butt welds). In all cases, Gamma or X-Ray Inspection may be used instead of ultrasonic inspection.
(5) Dye-penetrant inspection may be used instead of magnetic particle inspection (after approval only).
(6) These values are minimum values subject to be increased, in case of doubt, by the Surveyor.
(7) 100% of beam flanges butt welds are to be inspected.
(8) Locations of welds inspections will be notified by the Surveyor after welding.
(9) If half the thickness of the thinnest plate or more is welded, the weld is considered as full penetrated - Refer to NR426.
(10) If less of half the thickness of the thinnest plate is welded, the weld is considered as a limited penetration weld or a fillet weld -
Refer to NR426.
(11) Inspections at random from 0 to 5% to the Surveyor's satisfaction.

July 2012 Bureau Veritas 21

NI 593, App 1
3.3 Ultrasonic testing
3.3.1 Ultrasonic testing is to be carried out as specified in
[3.1.2] for butt welds and full penetration angle welds.
3.3.2 The Builder is to prepare the procedure for the setting
of the equipment, for the calibration of probes on standard
assembly with artificial defects, including the acceptance or
rejection criteria for imperfections detected by the ultrason-
ics, before starting welding works. This procedure is to be
submitted to the Society for approval.
4 Weld imperfections
4.1 Acceptance standard of weld defects
4.1.1 Welds are to be free from cracks and planar imper-
fections like incomplete root penetration and lack of fusion.
All significant planar defects are to be removed and
repaired.
4.1.2 Builder's acceptance standard for weld defects for
each structural category is to be submitted to the Surveyor
for approval, before starting welding works of qualification
and construction.
4.2 Repairs of defects
4.2.1 Where the weld is not in a 100% NDT category and
where it is decided by the Builder to carry out a repair of a
defect considered as unacceptable, the Builder is to deter-
4.2.3 The following non destructive tests are to be carried
out for all category repairs:
all weld types:
- Visual: full weld repair length
- MPI or DPI: full weld repair length
full penetration angle welds: UT: full weld repair length
butt welds: X-Ray: full weld repair length.
These NDT are to be performed 48 h after repair.
In any case, the Surveyor is to be informed by the Builder
that repairs will be carried out.
4.2.4 In case of X-Ray inspection, the film showing the ini-
tial defect is to be presented to the Surveyor at the same
time than the film taken after repair of the joint.
4.2.5 For steels with ReG equal to 300 MPa and over, and
for special and first categories, a welding repair procedure
qualification is to be carried out (with mechanical tests) to
the Surveyor's satisfaction.
4.2.6 In case of repair of a localised surface defect by
grinding (without welding), the diminution of the thickness
of the piece (plate, casting, forging) is not to exceed 7% of
the nominal thickness. This percentage is to be reduced if
the surface repaired is larger (to the Surveyor's satisfaction).
The junction between ground area and plate surface is to be
very smoothly tapered.
Figure 1 : NDT required around a defect


mine the exact length of this defective part and to check 
each adjoining part of the defect on a minimum distance of
ten times the defect length L, as shown on Fig 1, or
400 mm, whichever is the less, with the appropriate NDT
process.
For non isolated defects or repetitive aligned defects, addi-   
tional checks will be required to the Surveyor's satisfaction.

4.2.2 If planar defects such as cracks or lacks of fusion or of   

penetration are repeated, welding procedure is to be ques-

tioned and possibly revised. : Shorter value of 10L or 400mm.

22 Bureau Veritas July 2012