Reliability-based management of marine fouling

The present paper describes the results of a recent study on the application of methods from structural reliability to optimize management of marine fouling on jacket-type structures. In particular, the study addresses effects on the structural response by assessment and quantification of uncertainties of a set of parameters. These are the seasonal variation of marine fouling parameters, the wave loading (taking into account the seasonal variation in sea-state statistics), and the effects of spatial variations and seasonal effects of marine fouling parameters. Comparison of design values obtained by the present model taking into account seasonal effects with those inherent in the current design specifications are made and criteria are formulated for removal of marine fouling taking into account seasonal differences in marine fouling. A methodology is outlined on how to establish new and more representative marine fouling profiles for design of new structures, and finally an approach is outlined on how to include inspections of marine fouling into a risk-based inspection philosophy.