The behaviour and requirements of tapered stress joint marine riser termination systems are not widely understood. The complex structural behaviour coupled with an array of dynamic loadcase requirements can result in over-design. This paper describes a technique for the design of an optimal tapered stress joint, explains the benefits of different materials and investigates the application of design requirements. The technique uses a proprietary software system developed at UMIST for the automated optimisation of tapered stress joints.
Nicholas Cunliffe, MEng
Manchester Centre for Civil and Construction Engineering, UMIST, PO Box 88, Manchester, M60 1QD
Timothy J. McCarthy, PhD
Manchester Centre for Civil and Construction Engineering, UMIST, PO Box 88, Manchester, M60 1QD
Andrew Trim, PhD
MIMechE RTI Energy Systems, Spring, Texas