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FOREWORD

This Recommended Practice for Planning, Designing, and Constructing Fixed Offshore Platforms contains engineering design principles and good practices that have evolved during the development of offshore oil resources. Good practice is based on good engineering; therefore, this recommended practice consists essentially of good engineering recommendations. In no case is any specific recommendation included which could not be accomplished by presently available techniques and equipment. Consideration is given in all cases to the safety of personnel, compliance with existing regulations, and antipollution of water bodies.

Metric conversions of customary English units are provided throughout the text of this publication in parentheses, e.g., 6 in. (152 mm). Most of the converted values have been rounded for most practical usefulness; however, precise conversions have been used where safety and technical considerations dictate. In case of dispute, the customary English values should govern.

Offshore technology is growing rapidly. In those areas where the committee felt that adequate data were available, specific and detailed recommendations are given. In other areas general statements are used to indicate that consideration should be given to those particular points. Designers are encouraged to utilize all research advances available to them. As offshore knowledge continues to grow, this recommended practice will be revised. It is hoped that the general statements contained herein will gradually be replaced by detailed recommendations.

Reference in this practice is made to the latest edition of the AISC Specification for the Design, Fabrication and Erection of Structural Steel for Buildings (see Section 2.5.1a). While the use of latest edition of this specification is still endorsed, the use of the new AISC Load & Resistance Factor Design (LRFD), First Edition is specifically not recommended for design of offshore platforms. The load and resistance factors in this new code are based on calibration with building design practices and are therefore not applicable to offshore platforms. Research work is now in progress to incorporate the strength provisions of the new AISC LRFD code into offshore design practices.

In this practice, reference is made to ANSI/AWS D1.1-2002 Structural Welding Code - Steel. While use of this edition is endorsed, the primary intent is that the AWS code be followed for the welding and fabrication of Fixed Offshore Platforms. Chapters 8, 9, and 10 of the AWS Code give guidance that may be relevant to the design of Fixed Offshore Platforms. This Recommended Practice makes specific reference to Chapter 9 and 10 for certain design considerations. Where specific guidance is given in this API document, as in Sections 4 and 5, this guidance should take precedence.