scope:

INTRODUCTION

General (2018)

The criteria in this Guide are primarily based on existing methodologies and their attendant safety factors. These methods and factors are deemed to provide an equivalent level of safety, reflecting what is considered to be appropriate current practice.

It is acknowledged that new methods and criteria for design are constantly evolving. For this reason, ABS does not seek to inhibit the use of an alternative technological approach that is demonstrated to produce an acceptable level of safety.

The criteria in this Guide is presented in the Working Stress Design (WSD) format, also known as the Allowable Stress (or Strength) Design (ASD) format. Alternative structural design criteria in a Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) format are provided in the ABS Guide for Buckling and Ultimate Strength Assessment of Offshore Structures (LRFD Version).