Mechanical FATJACK Users Manual

Mechanical FATJACK User's Manual
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Table of Contents
1. FATJACK Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1
2. FATJACK Theory ...................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1. Fatigue Assessment .......................................................................................................................... 3
2.2. S-N Curves ........................................................................................................................................ 3
2.3. Miner's Rule ...................................................................................................................................... 3
2.4. Deterministic Methods ..................................................................................................................... 4
2.5. Spectral Analysis ............................................................................................................................... 5
2.6. Time History Methods ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.7. Strategies for Wave Fatigue Analysis .................................................................................................. 7
2.8. Parametric SCF Equations ................................................................................................................ 13
3. FATJACK Analysis Methods ................................................................................................................... 35
3.1. Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 35
3.2. Environmental Information ............................................................................................................. 35
3.3. Joint Selection ................................................................................................................................ 35
3.4. Joint Classification .......................................................................................................................... 36
3.5. Inspection Points ............................................................................................................................ 37
3.5.1. Tubular Joint Inspection Points ............................................................................................... 37
3.5.2. Tubular Butt Joints ................................................................................................................. 37
3.5.3. Non-Tubular Braces ................................................................................................................ 38
3.6. Design Information ......................................................................................................................... 39
3.6.1. Design Geometry ................................................................................................................... 39
3.6.2. Secondary Elements ............................................................................................................... 39
3.7. Stress Concentration Factors ........................................................................................................... 39
3.7.1. Explicit SCF Definitions ........................................................................................................... 39
3.7.2. Empirical SCF Formulations .................................................................................................... 40
3.7.3. Influence Functions ................................................................................................................ 40
3.7.4. SCF Interpolation ................................................................................................................... 41
3.7.5. Annotated SCF File Generation ............................................................................................... 42
3.8. S-N Curves ...................................................................................................................................... 43
3.9. Units .............................................................................................................................................. 43
3.10. Element Cross Sections ................................................................................................................. 43
3.11. Results presentation ..................................................................................................................... 44
3.11.1. Obtaining Results ................................................................................................................. 44
3.11.2. FATJACK Results ................................................................................................................... 44
3.11.2.1. Fatigue Usage Factor Results ........................................................................................ 44
3.11.2.2. Damage per Wave Results ............................................................................................ 45
3.11.2.3. Stress Range Results .................................................................................................... 45
3.11.2.4. Stress Histogram Results .............................................................................................. 46
4. FATJACK Command Reference .............................................................................................................. 49
4.1. FATJACK Free Format Syntax ........................................................................................................... 49
4.1.1. General Description ............................................................................................................... 49
4.1.2. Special Symbols ..................................................................................................................... 51
4.2. FATJACK Priority of Data Assignments ............................................................................................. 53
4.3. Preliminary Data ............................................................................................................................. 54
4.4. Fatigue Analysis method ................................................................................................................. 55
4.4.1. ANALYSIS command ............................................................................................................... 55
4.4.2. Deterministic Analysis ............................................................................................................ 56
4.4.2.1. Deterministic Analysis Example ...................................................................................... 58
4.4.3. Spectral Analysis .................................................................................................................... 59
4.4.3.1. Spectral Analysis Example .............................................................................................. 62
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iii
FATJACK User's Manual

4.4.4. Stress History Analysis ............................................................................................................ 65
4.4.4.1. Stress History Analysis Example ..................................................................................... 67
4.4.5. Time History Analysis ............................................................................................................. 69
4.4.5.1. Time History Analysis Example ....................................................................................... 70
4.5. ACCE .............................................................................................................................................. 71
4.6. ALLOWABLE .................................................................................................................................... 72
4.7. ANSYS ............................................................................................................................................ 72
4.8. CHORD ........................................................................................................................................... 73
4.9. COMPONENT .................................................................................................................................. 75
4.10. CURVE .......................................................................................................................................... 75
4.10.1. CURVE Command (User defined S-N curves) .......................................................................... 76
4.10.2. CURVE Command (Base thickness definition for standard curves) .......................................... 77
4.11. CYCLE ........................................................................................................................................... 78
4.12. DESIGN ......................................................................................................................................... 79
4.13. DETE ............................................................................................................................................. 80
4.14. END .............................................................................................................................................. 82
4.15. FILES ............................................................................................................................................. 82
4.16. FREQUENCY .................................................................................................................................. 83
4.17. GAP .............................................................................................................................................. 84
4.18. GAPDEFAULT ................................................................................................................................ 85
4.19. HIST .............................................................................................................................................. 85
4.20. INSET ............................................................................................................................................ 86
4.21. INSPECTION .................................................................................................................................. 87
4.21.1. INSPECTION Command (Tubular sections) ............................................................................ 87
4.21.2. INSPECTION Command (Non-tubular sections) ..................................................................... 89
4.22. JOB ............................................................................................................................................... 90
4.23. JOINT ............................................................................................................................................ 90
4.24. LIMIT ............................................................................................................................................ 91
4.25. NEWSTRUCTURE ........................................................................................................................... 93
4.26. OPTIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 93
4.27. PARAMETER .................................................................................................................................. 94
4.28. PRINT ........................................................................................................................................... 95
4.29. PROJECT ....................................................................................................................................... 96
4.30. REDUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 97
4.31. RESU ............................................................................................................................................. 97
4.32. SCF Definition ............................................................................................................................... 98
4.32.1. SCFANGLE Command ........................................................................................................... 99
4.32.2. SCF AUTO DEFAULT Command ............................................................................................ 100
4.32.3. SCF AUTO JOINT Command ................................................................................................ 102
4.32.4. SCFBRACE Command ......................................................................................................... 103
4.32.5. SCF DEFAULT Command ..................................................................................................... 104
4.32.6. SCFJOINT Command .......................................................................................................... 105
4.32.7. SCFMINIMUM Command .................................................................................................... 106
4.32.8. SCFPOINT Command .......................................................................................................... 107
4.33. SECONDARY ............................................................................................................................... 108
4.34. SIGM ........................................................................................................................................... 109
4.35. S-N ............................................................................................................................................. 110
4.36. SPECTRUM .................................................................................................................................. 111
4.37. SPREADING ................................................................................................................................. 113
4.38. STOP ........................................................................................................................................... 115
4.39. STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................................. 116
4.40. SYSTEM ....................................................................................................................................... 116
iv
FATJACK User's Manual

4.41. TEXT ........................................................................................................................................... 117
4.42. THICKNESS .................................................................................................................................. 117
4.43. TITLE ........................................................................................................................................... 118
4.44. TRANSFER ................................................................................................................................... 119
4.45. TYPE ........................................................................................................................................... 119
4.46. UNITS ......................................................................................................................................... 120
4.47. WAVE .......................................................................................................................................... 122
4.48. YEAR ........................................................................................................................................... 123
5. FATJACK Appendices ........................................................................................................................... 125
5.1. Running FATJACK .......................................................................................................................... 125
5.1.1. ASAS Files Required by FATJACK ........................................................................................... 125
5.1.2. Files saved by FATJACK ......................................................................................................... 125
5.2. Section Profile Information ............................................................................................................ 125
5.2.1. BOX - Symmetric Fabricated Box Section ............................................................................... 125
5.2.2. RHS - Rolled Hollow Section .................................................................................................. 126
5.2.3. TUB - Tubes of Circular Section .............................................................................................. 126
5.2.4. WF - Wide Flanged Rolled I-Section ....................................................................................... 127
5.3. FATJACK References ...................................................................................................................... 127
vi
Chapter 1: FATJACK Introduction

FATJACK (FATigue calculations for offshore JACKets) is the fatigue calculation module. FATJACK is used
for the estimation of fatigue life for tubular and beam joints, employing deterministic or spectral
methods.
FATJACK represents a complete revamp of the philosophy as to how joint fatigue calculations are undertaken, and embodies many new features that assist the designer in attaining optimal results with
the minimum of supplied data. The following facilities are provided by FATJACK.
Automatic retrieval of wave information from analysis databases
Selective processing of individual joints using node data
Design override capabilities to allow user defined joint configuration, member properties and secondary
members
Ability to compute SCF values at joints consisting of 1, 2 or 3 analysis node points
SCF values for a brace may be computed automatically using Kuang, Wordsworth, DS449 or Efthymiou formulations
SCF values for a given brace may be computed from more than one empirical equation set allowing the
most appropriate equations to be adopted for specific inspection points around the brace
Computed SCFs may be output to a formatted file for modification and utilization in subsequent FATJACK
runs
Selective application of Marshall reduction factor and S-N thickness correction
S-N data may be input using standard pre-defined curves. User defined curves may now define a cut-off
value
Completely revised input data syntax allowing greater flexibility in data preparation
A brief overview of the analysis methods available is provided. For more detailed information see Ref.
1.
Chapter 2: FATJACK Theory

This section discusses the following topics:
2.1. Fatigue Assessment
2.2. S-N Curves
2.3. Miner's Rule
2.4. Deterministic Methods
2.5. Spectral Analysis
2.6.Time History Methods
2.7. Strategies for Wave Fatigue Analysis
2.8. Parametric SCF Equations
2.1. Fatigue Assessment

Steel members subjected to a sufficiently large fluctuating tensile stress will develop small crack-like
defects which may eventually lead to failure of the member, the crack becomes sufficiently large to
cause fracture at the defect location. For structures subject to constant amplitude stress fluctuations,
problems of this nature may be avoided by keeping the cyclic stress below an endurance limit, preventing
the inception of the initial defect. Offshore structures, however, are exposed to a mixture of large and
small stress ranges making this approach impractical. It thus becomes necessary to design the structure
for a desired service life. The method used within FATJACK to carry out the fatigue assessment is based
upon the use of S-N curves.
2.2. S-N Curves

Tests of steel specimens subject to fluctuating loading demonstrate a relationship between the number
of cycles to failure, N, and the applied stress range, S. The form of this relationship is given by:
N = AS-m
where A and m are constants obtained experimentally.
In air, or where corrosion prevention is undertaken, an endurance limit can be identified for constant
amplitude stress cycling below which no fatigue occurs. For variable amplitude stress cycling the cutoff stress decreases as the fatigue crack grows and this is often allowed for by changing the slope of
the S-N curve below a certain stress level.
Values of A and m are available for a range of typical joints. Values of A and m are available for a range
of typical joints. Many codes of practice provide one or more standard S-N curves, some of which have
been embodied within the FATJACK software.
2.3. Miner's Rule

To account for variable amplitude loading, the S-N curve is supplemented by an additional rule which
permits the fatigue assessment to be undertaken. Miners Rule is based upon the concept of fatigue
damage. For a given wave of constant amplitude the damage is given by:
FATJACK Theory
Where many wave cases are being analyzed, the fatigue damage for one wave case with a stress range
Si and a number of cycles ni is:
Miners Rule then gives the total annual damage as:
Since the calculation is based upon the number of cycles in a year for the constituent waves, the resulting
damage is that associated with one year of operation. The fatigue life (in years) is, therefore, the reciprocal of the damage; that is:
life = 1/D
Fatjack also calculates a usage figure, for easy comparison of results. This factor is based upon:
Usage = (DT)(1/S)
where:
D is the total damage
T is the target fatigue life
S is the slope of the S-N curve
2.4. Deterministic Methods

Deterministic fatigue methods apply Miners Rule directly.
The environmental loading is idealized by representative wave cases, each with a defined number of
loading cycles (or occurrences) in a year. The wave loading is generated (normally using Mechanical
APDL) to produce a series of loadcases which represent the waves for the required number of wave
heights, periods and directions. The structure is then analyzed to determine the stress S for each of the
loadcases and, hence, the fatigue life using Miners Rule.
Two analysis approaches are available to undertake a deterministic fatigue assessment.
Spectral Analysis
Under normal circumstances, where the structure responds sinusoidally to the load, the wave loading
generates a loadcase pair for each wave case analyzed. This pair of loadcases represents the real and
imaginary parts of a solution which retains both magnitude and phase information. This is achieved by
undertaking a harmonic wave analysis within Mechanical APDL. This approach is an efficient and effective
way of determining the stress response of the structure to steady state harmonic loading. FATJACK uses
this data to generate the stress ranges directly from the incoming member forces for the loadcase pairs.
This methodology is selected using the ANALYSIS DETERMINISTIC command.
In situations where the structure stress response becomes nonlinear (for example, in shallow water), a
sinusoidal representation may become invalid in which case a more detailed analysis needs to be adopted.
The stress history approach utilizes the stresses resulting from discrete positions for a given wave to
determine explicitly the stress range. In this case Mechanical APDL is used to generate one or more
loadcases for each wave case to adequately define the response of the structure to the applied loading.
If only one loadcase is provided it is assumed to represent the stress amplitude. In this case the stress
range is computed as twice the amplitude. For any other number of loadcases the stress range is
computed as the difference between the maximum and minimum stress occurring within each of the
constituent loadcases forming the wave.
This methodology is selected using the ANALYSIS STRESS HISTORY command.
2.5. Spectral Analysis

When the dynamic response of the structure is important, a more realistic estimate of fatigue life can
be obtained from the spectral method. The damage is accumulated at each inspection point throughout
the frequency range, using the stress response spectrum at that point together with the appropriate
material S-N characteristics.
For the purpose of sea state identification, wave direction is usually classified into eight sectors of 45
incidence angle bands (Figure 2.1: Sea states are applied by direction sector scatter diagrams (p. 6)).
In each sector, the occurrence rate of each random sea state, characterized by significant wave height,
Hs, and mean zero crossing period, Tz, is identified as a number on a scatter diagram (Figure 2.2: A
scatter diagram summarizing the relative occurrence rate of individual sea state conditions for one
direction (p. 6)). The ratio of this number of occurrences to the total for all eight sector scatter diagrams
gives the weighting to be applied later in determining the amount of fatigue damage due to each sea
state.
In a particular random sea state, the instantaneous water surface elevation is considered to be caused
by the combined effect of an infinite number of steady state components of wave frequency having
random phase relationships. The amplitude content versus frequency has been shown by practical investigation to be related to the significant wave height and mean zero crossing period. Using relationships
such as the JONSWAP (Ref. 6), Scott-Weigel, Pierson-Moskowitz (Ref. 5) or Ochi-Hubble (Ref. 7) spectra,
each scatter diagram sea state can be reconstituted in terms of water surface elevation components
throughout the frequency range producing sea state spectra, S (See diagram (a) in Figure 2.3: Random
Sea States (p. 6)).
FATJACK Theory
Figure 2.1: Sea states are applied by direction sector scatter diagrams
Figure 2.2: A scatter diagram summarizing the relative occurrence rate of individual sea state
conditions for one direction
Figure 2.3: Random Sea States
For a given inspection point on the structure, a stress transfer function, f, is developed by computing
the normalized stress range for each of the constituent waves within a wave incidence sector, the
6
Strategies for Wave Fatigue Analysis

stresses being normalized by the associated wave heights (See diagram (b) in Figure 2.3: Random Sea
States (p. 6)).
The stress response spectrum for a given sea state, S, can then be determined by multiplying the
wave spectrum by the square of the associated stress transfer function (See diagram (c) in Figure 2.3: Random Sea States (p. 6)).
Thus
S = S*2f
The fatigue damage incurred from one sea state at one stress inspection point is evaluated using
parameters from its stress response spectrum, the material fatigue data, Miners Rule and the relative
rate of occurrence of that sea state, including the assumption that the peak stress levels are distributed
according to a Rayleigh probability distribution (See diagram (d) in Figure 2.3: Random Sea States (p. 6)).
The damage in one year from each sea state for each inspection point is given by:
The annual damage from each of the sea states is then summed in order to give the total annual
damage from all sea states. The fatigue life is the reciprocal of the total annual damage.
For single slope S-N curves, the damage calculation is undertaken using a gamma function solution
which provides an efficient method for carrying out the integration expression. For multi-linear S-N
curves no such closed form solution exists and the integration has to be undertaken by numerical integration techniques.
2.6. Time History Methods

The environmental loading is idealized by representative time history cases, each with a defined number
of occurrences in a year. The structural response in the time domain is computed for each required sea
state (normally by a transient analysis) to produce a series of stress time histories. FATJACK reads in the
analysis stress results to create a hot spot stress time history at each inspection location and utilizes
the rainflow counting method to produce a stress range histogram; that is, a table of number of cycles
vs. stress range. The fatigue life is then calculated using Miners rule as usual.
2.7. Strategies for Wave Fatigue Analysis

Depending upon the type of fatigue analysis to be undertaken, different ocean loading options are required before computing fatigue lives in FATJACK. For Mechanical APDL based analyses the following
defines the required data and approach for various types of fatigue analysis:
FATJACK Theory
Type
Mechanical
Analysis
Loading
requirements
FATJACK
Analysis
Notes
Time History
Dynamic
Transient
Structural
Multiple Stress
Time Histories
Time History
Rainflow counting for a

number of ocean
environments
Time History
Deterministic
Static
Static Structural
Individual Stress
Scenarios
Stress
History
Use multiple load sets to get

a stress range
Time History
Deterministic
Static
Transient
Structural
Stress Time History
Stress
History
Use multiple load steps to

get a stress range
Harmonic
Deterministic
Static
Harmonic
Response
Real & Imaginary

Stresses
Deterministic Ocean loading can be

generated using the
HROCEAN, STATIC option
Harmonic Spectral
Static
Harmonic
Response
Real & Imaginary

Stresses
Spectral
Ocean loading can be

generated using the
HROCEAN, STATIC option
Harmonic Spectral
Dynamic
Harmonic
Response
Real & Imaginary

Stresses
Spectral
Ocean loading can be

generated using the
HROCEAN, DYNAMIC option
The processes involved for various types of fatigue study when using the ANSYS Asas solver are summarized in Figure 2.4: Strategies for wave fatigue analysis using ANSYS Asas (p. 9).
Figure 2.5: Example of a time stress history fatigue analysis using ANSYS Asas (p. 10), Figure 2.6: Example
of a harmonic deterministic fatigue analysis (static) using ANSYS Asas (p. 11), and Figure 2.7: Example
of steady state dynamic spectral fatigue analysis using ANSYS Asas (p. 12) provide an overview of the
control data required to undertake the different fatigue analyses that are available in FATJACK. Figure 2.8: Example of a time history fatigue analysis using ANSYS Asas (p. 13) shows the control data required to undertake a time history fatigue analysis following a series of transient dynamic analyses.

Figure 2.4: Strategies for wave fatigue analysis using ANSYS Asas
FATJACK Theory
Figure 2.5: Example of a time stress history fatigue analysis using ANSYS Asas
10

Figure 2.6: Example of a harmonic deterministic fatigue analysis (static) using ANSYS Asas
11
FATJACK Theory
Figure 2.7: Example of steady state dynamic spectral fatigue analysis using ANSYS Asas
12
Parametric SCF Equations

Figure 2.8: Example of a time history fatigue analysis using ANSYS Asas
2.8. Parametric SCF Equations
13
FATJACK Theory
Key:
= d/D
= D/(2T)
= t/T
= L/R
= g/D
D = chord outside diameter = 2R
d = brace outside diameter = 2r
T = chord thickness
t = brace thickness
= acute brace to chord angle
L = chord length
g = separation between brace toes (gap)
Table 2.1: Wordsworth Equations For SCFs In T/Y-joints
Validity Range
The following Wordsworth equations are generally valid for joint
parameters within the following limits:
0.13 <= <= 1.0
12 <= <= 32
0.25 <= <= 1.0
30 <= <= 90
8 <= <= 40
14

Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
Axial load
WT1
WT2
In-plane
bending
WT3
Out-of-plane
bending
WT4
Brace side
SCFs
Table 2.2: Wordsworth Equations For SCFs In X-joints

Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
Axial load
WX1
WX2
In-plane
bending
WX3
Out-of-plane
bending
(balanced)
WX4
15
FATJACK Theory
Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
Brace side
SCFs
Table 2.3: Wordsworth Equations For SCFs In K-joints

Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
Balanced
axial load
WK1
WK2
WK3
In-plane
bending
WK4
Out-of-plane
bending
(unbalanced)
WK5
Brace side
SCF's
Table 2.4: Wordsworth Equations For SCFs In KT-joints

Load Type
SCF Equation
Balanced
axial load
Outer two braces only loaded.

Equations identical to those given for K joints may be used except that
g is the distance between the toes of the outer braces (gac).
16
Eqn. No.

Load Type
SCF Equation
In-plane
bending
Eqn. No.
WKT1
Unbalanced
out-of-plane
bending
WKT2
WKT3
For brace C replace gab with gbc, A with C, C with A, A with C, C

with A and A with C.
The above equations were derived with equal sized braces. Caution
should therefore be used when applying the equations to nodes where
there is a large variation in brace dimensions.
Brace load
SCFs
Table 2.5: Kuang Equations In T/Y-joints

Validity Range
The following Kuang equations for T/Y, K and KT joints are
generally valid for joint parameters within the following limits:
0.3 <= <= 0.8 unless stated otherwise
8.33 <= <= 33.3
0.20 <= <= 0.8
0 <= <= 90 unless stated otherwise
6.667 <= <= 40
17
FATJACK Theory
Load Type
SCF Equation
Axial load
Eqn. No.
KT1
KT2
In-plane
bending
KT3
KT4
Out-of-plane
bending
KT5
KT6
KT7
KT8
Table 2.6: Kuang Equations In K-joints

Load Type
SCF Equation
Axial
load
Eqn. No.
KK1
KK2
In-plane
bending
KK3
KK4
Out-of-plane
bending
KK5
KK6
KK7
KK8
18

Table 2.7: Kuang Equations In KT-joints
Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
Axial
load
KKT1
KKT2
KKT3
KKT4
In-plane
bending
KKT5
KKT6
Out-of-plane
bending
KKT7
KKT8
KKT9
KKT10
Table 2.8: Kuang Equations In T-joints

Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
Axial load
DT1
DT2
19
FATJACK Theory
Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
In-plane
bending
DT3
DT4
Out-of-plane
bending
DT5
DT6
Table 2.9: Danish Equations In Y-joints

Validity Range
The following Danish equations for Y, K and KT joints are
generally valid for joint parameters within the following limits:
0.3 <= <= 0.8
8 <= <= 33
0.2 <= <= 0.8
0 <= <= 90
7 <= <= 40
0.01 <= <= 1.0
Load Type
SCF Equation
The following equations provide the basic SCF formulas for Y
joints. The code permits a reduction to be applied which is
automatically carried out by the program. The actual SCF value
computed is given by:
20
Eqn. No.

Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
Axial load
DY1
DY2
In-plane
bending
DY3
DY4
Out-of-plane
bending
DY5
DY6
DY7
DY8
Table 2.10: Danish Equations In K and KT-joints

Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
The following equations provide the basic SCF formulas for K and KT
joints. The code permits a reduction to be applied which is
automatically carried out by the program. The actual SCF value
computed is given by:
Axial load
K-joints
DK1
DK2
21
FATJACK Theory
Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
Axial load
KT-joints
DKT1
DKT2
DKT3
In-plane
bending
DK3
DK4
Out-of-plane
bending
Table 2.11: Danish Equations In X-joints

Validity Range
The following Danish equations for X joints are generally valid
for joint parameters within the following limits:
0.13 <= <= 0.95
12 <= <= 32
0.25 <= <= 1.0
30 <= <= 90
8 <= <= 40
Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
Axial load
DX1
DX2
22

Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
In-plane
bending
DX3
DX4
Out-of-plane
bending
DX5
DX6
Table 2.12: Efthymiou Equations For SCFs In T/Y-joints

Validity Range
The following Efthymiou equations for T/Y joints are generally
valid for joint parameters within the following limits:
0.25 <= <= 1.0
8 <= <= 32
0.25 <= <= 1.0
20 <= <= 90
4 <= <= 40
-0.6/sin <= <= 1.0
Load Type
Axial load general

fixity
conditions
SCF Equation
Eqn.
No.
Short
Chord
Correction
ET5
If C < 0.8
F1 else F2
ET6
None
ET3
If C < 0.8
F1 else F2
ET7
None
23
FATJACK Theory
Load Type
SCF Equation
In-plane
bending
Out-of-plane
bending
Short chord correction factors ( < 12)
Eqn.
No.
Short
Chord
Correction
ET8
None
ET9
None
ET10
F3
ET11
F3
Chord-end fixity parameter
Table 2.13: Efthymiou Equations For SCFs In X-joints

Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn.
No.
Short Chord
Correction
EX1
If C < 0.8
F1 else F2
EX2
None
EX3
If C < 0.8
F1 else F2
EX4
None
Axial load
In-plane
bending
None
None
Out-of-plane
bending
24
EX5
F3
EX6
F3

Table 2.14: Efthymiou Equations For SCFs In Gap/Overlap K-joints
Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn.
No.
Short Chord
Correction
EK1
None
EK2
None
Balanced axial
load
Unbalanced
in-plane
bending
EK3
Unbalanced
out-of-plane
bending
EK4
F4
EK5
F4
[ET10]A is the chord SCF adjacent to brace A as estimated from eqn ET10.
25
FATJACK Theory
Note that the designation of braces A and B is not geometry-dependent, it is nominated by the user.
Table 2.15: Efthymiou Equations For SCFs In KT-joints
Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn.
No.
Short Chord
Correction
EKT1
F4
EKT2
F4
Balanced axial
load
In-plane
bending
Out-of-plane
bending
26

Table 2.16: Efthymiou Equations For SCFs In X-joints For Use In Influence Function Calculations
Load Type
SCF Equation
Axial load on
reference
brace only
Eqn.
No.
Short Chord
Correction
EX7
If C < 0.8
F1 else F2
EX8
If C < 0.8
F1 else F2
Out-of-plane
bending on
reference
brace only
F3
F3
Table 2.17: Efthymiou Influence Functions For X-joints

Load Type
Influence function for reference brace
Eqn. No.
Axial load
EIX1
EIX2
EIX3
EIX4
Out-of-plane
bending
EIX5
EIX6
27
FATJACK Theory
Note that in the above expressions subscript A refers to the reference brace, subscript B to the interacting
brace under consideration.
Table 2.18: Efthymiou Equations For SCFs In Gap/Overlap K-joints For Use In Influence Function
Calculations
Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn.
No.
Axial load on
one brace
only
Short Chord
Correction
If C < 0.8 F1 else F2
None
If C < 0.8 F1 else F2
None
If no braces are present on the opposite side of the chord,

m = 0
In-plane
bending on
one brace
only
None
None
Out-of-plane
bending on
one brace
only
28
EK6
F3
EK7
F3

Table 2.19: Efthymiou Influence Functions For K-joints
Load Type
Influence function for brace A
Eqn. No.
Axial load
EIK1
EIK2
EIK3
EIK4
Out-of-plane
bending
EIK5
EIK6
Load Type
Eqn. No.
Axial load
EIK1
EIK2
EIK3
EIK4
Out-of-plane
bending
EIK5
EIK6
29
FATJACK Theory
Table 2.20: Efthymiou Equations For SCFs in KT-joints For Use In Influence Function Calculations
Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
Axial load on
reference
brace only
Out-of-plane
bending on
reference
brace only
EKT3
EKT4
Load Type
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
Axial load
on reference
brace only
30

Load Type
Out-of-plane
bending on
reference
brace only
SCF Equation
Eqn. No.
EKT3
EKT4
31
FATJACK Theory
Table 2.21: Efthymiou Influence Functions For KT-joints
Load
Type
Eqn. No.
Axial
EIKT1
EIKT2
EIKT3
EIKT4
32

Table 2.22: Efthymiou Hot-Spot Stresses In KT-joints
Load Type
Hot spot stress expression
Eqn. No.
Out-of-plane
bending
EIKT5
EIKT6
33
34
Chapter 3: FATJACK Analysis Methods

3.1. Overview
3.2. Environmental Information
3.3. Joint Selection
3.4. Joint Classification
3.5. Inspection Points
3.6. Design Information
3.7. Stress Concentration Factors
3.8. S-N Curves
3.9. Units
3.10. Element Cross Sections
3.11. Results presentation
3.1. Overview
Fatigue analyses can require large amounts of data due to the methods employed in determining the
hot spot stresses from the nominal brace loads. In addition, the mathematical model is often greatly
simplified especially at joints where brace center-lines are assumed to pass through a common point
and where stub and/or can details have been omitted.
FATJACK includes an extensive command set which enables the user to automatically generate much
of the required data and provides methods for developing a more precise definition of the problem
than can be obtained from the analysis model.
3.2. Environmental Information

Fatigue analyses require information about the wave loading used to develop the analytical results that
are to be processed. FATJACK requires that wave height, period and direction are supplied for each
wave case that has been analyzed. For stress history analyses, it is also necessary for the program to
know how many wave positions have been used for each wave case (see Deterministic Methods (p. 4)).
Provided that the environmental wave loading has been generated using the ocean definition in
Mechanical APDL, FATJACK can automatically extract the wave information from the analysis database
files. It should be noted, however, that this facility is not available if the loading has been modified in
any way. In these cases the wave information must be supplied as part of the FATJACK input data.
3.3. Joint Selection

FATJACK allows selective processing of one or more individual joints in the model. This permits specific
areas of a model to be examined with local changes in design information.
The joints may either be listed explicitly or using the keyword ALL to request that every joint which
has valid elements connected is to be processed. Only BEAM and TUBE elements will be used by FATJACK,
all other element types will be ignored.
35
FATJACK Analysis Methods

Joints are usually represented by a single node, to which the brace and chord elements are attached.
It is sometimes necessary to model the physical separation of work points in a joint by the use of 2 or
3 nodes.
This is achieved using a combination of CHORD and TYPE commands. In these cases one of the nodes
is designated as the joint node and this is used when referring to any properties regarding that joint.
3.4. Joint Classification

By default FATJACK utilizes the configuration of the brace members incident at a joint to determine
the joint classification used for computing stress concentration factors for the brace connections to the
joint.
Unless otherwise defined (by using the CHORD command) the chord at a given joint is selected based
upon the connecting members with the largest diameter. Where several members have the same diameter, the elements with the largest thickness are adopted. In certain circumstances this process will
not produce a unique chord definition; for example, at X joints with similar members, in which case the
chord specification is compulsory. It should also be noted that where the chord elements are determined
by the program the chord length required for the stress concentration factor (SCF) calculations will be
computed as 2/3 times the combined lengths of the selected elements. This will produce erroneous
SCFs if the chord elements selected do not completely define the chord member; for example, where
intermediate nodes have been included. Either all the elements which constitute the chord should be
defined, or an explicit chord length should be given, using the CHORD command.
The remaining members at a joint, considered to be brace members, are then separated into groups
of elements that are in the same chord-brace plane. Within each plane a joint configuration is identified
for each brace end using the following classification table:
Nnear
Nfar
Classification
T/Y
T/Y
T/Y
any
any
KT
36
Inspection Points
Notes
1. Nnear is the number of braces on the same side of the chord as the brace under consideration (including
the brace under consideration).
2. Nfar is the number of braces on the far side of the chord with respect to the brace under consideration.
3. If the angle subtended with the chord is 90o5o then the reference brace is designated as a T, otherwise
the joint is classified as a Y.
If the user wishes to assign joint classifications other than that provided by the program this can be
achieved by using TYPE commands for the joint/brace combinations concerned. Note that TYPE commands are ignored if using influence functions since this relies on a knowledge of all braces at a joint.
3.5. Inspection Points

Results from FATJACK are reported at one or more inspection points for braces connected to selected
joints. The location of the inspection points for braces are identified by an angle for tubular sections,
or a pair of ordinates for non-tubular braces. The reference point from which the angles or ordinates
are measured depends upon the type of joint being examined.
3.5.1. Tubular Joint Inspection Points

Where a joint consists of a chord together with associated braces the inspection point angle is measured
relative to a saddle location as shown below:
The member local reference x axis is defined as being along the member concerned and is always orientated away from the joint. The local reference y axis is in the same direction as the member local
reference y axis. The local reference z axis forms a right handed set with the member axis and the local
reference y axis. Note that, for consistency, the results are reported in terms of brace in-plane (y local
axis) and out-of-plane (z local axis) bending.
3.5.2. Tubular Butt Joints

Where a joint has no identifiable chord the program adopts a reference system that relates to the
members connected to the joint. This is shown diagrammatically below:
37
The member local reference x axis is defined as being along the member concerned and is always orientated away from the joint. The local reference y axis is in the same direction as the member local
reference y axis. The local reference z axis forms a right handed set with the member axis and the local
reference y axis. Note that, for consistency, the results are reported in terms of brace in-plane (y local
axis) and out-of-plane (z local axis) bending.
3.5.3. Non-Tubular Braces

Non-tubular joints have no associated chord elements and are thus treated in a similar manner to tubular
butt joints. The inspection points are then defined by way of y and z ordinates (or in-plane bending
and out-of-plane bending ordinates to be strictly consistent).
The member local reference x axis is defined as being along the brace concerned and is always orientated
away from the joint. The in-plane axis is in the same direction as the brace local y axis. The out-of-plane
axis forms a right handed set with the brace axis and the in-plane axis.
38
Stress Concentration Factors
3.6. Design Information

By default FATJACK utilizes the geometric and topology information that is stored in the ASAS fatigue
model backing files. This information is used for computing both stress values and stress concentration
factors (where requested).
There may be many instances when the data utilized for the structural analysis is inconsistent with that
required to undertake the fatigue study and FATJACK provides several mechanisms to override the
values that would be adopted by default.
3.6.1. Design Geometry

The geometry information (diameter, thickness, areas, etc) is used both for the SCF computations and
stress evaluation. The default information extracted from the analysis backing files may be overridden
(or augmented) by utilizing the DESIGN command which enables both the section type and properties
to be defined. For non-tubular sections this is essential if sections have not been utilized in the original
analysis in order that the appropriate SCF values may be utilized (see Stress Concentration Factors (p. 39)).
3.6.2. Secondary Elements

Since FATJACK is joint based, all valid elements connected to a joint will be processed. There may be
situations where certain elements are not required for fatigue processing and these may be selectively
deactivated by defining them as secondary elements. Note that the secondary elements are effectively
removed from the joint and thus will not be included in the joint classification and, hence, any automatic
SCF evaluation that may be requested. Similarly secondary members will not be included in any influence
function computations where this is operative (see Influence Functions (p. 40)).
3.7. Stress Concentration Factors

The damage calculations required for a fatigue analysis utilize the hot spot stresses at the inspection
points defined for a given brace. These hot spot stresses are normally determined from the brace
nominal loads (axial force and lateral bending) and associated stress concentration factors for the locations
concerned.
The stress concentration factors (SCFs) may be provided in one or two ways:
Explicit SCF definitions
Utilizing built-in empirical formulations to automatically generate the required SCF values.
An alternative approach to conventional SCF evaluation of hot spot stresses is the use of so-called influence functions which account for the load distribution at a joint. This method can be requested when
using the Efthymiou equations by including the INFL option.
3.7.1. Explicit SCF Definitions

Where SCF values are known explicitly these may be provided in a number of ways:
For tubular sections use:
SCFJ if crown and saddle SCF values are known; for example, if generated by empirical formulae
by the user.
39

SCFA if SCF values are known at specific locations; for example, results of a detailed finite element
joint analysis, or from model tests.
For non-tubular sections use:
SCFB if the SCF values are constant across the section.
SCFP if the SCF values vary according to location.
For all section types a default value may be defined which is associated with a brace element in the
absence of any explicit definitions or computed SCF values. Note that default SCF values are associated
with a section profile (WF, BOX, etc) rather than an element type (BEAM, TUBE).
3.7.2. Empirical SCF Formulations

FATJACK incorporates automatic SCF generation facilities for tubular joints, based upon the following
empirical formulations:
Wordsworth (Ref. 2)
Kuang (Ref. 3)
DS449 (Ref. 10)
Efthymiou (Ref. 11)
These formulations provide SCF values which depend upon the joint classification, load condition, and
position around the brace/chord interface.
This facility enables brace elements at a joint to have SCF values computed at the crown and saddle
locations. To provide increased flexibility in the application of empirical formulae to SCF calculations,
FATJACK includes the ability to utilize different formulations for specific SCF values around a given
brace member. This is achieved by specifying an equation matrix, the constituents of which define the
formula to be adopted for each of the loading components and position. The user can thus utilize the
most appropriate formulations for a given joint type as required by many certification authorities.
Automatic generation of SCF values is requested using the SCF AUTO commands. To provide total
flexibility in the determination of the SCF values, parameter definitions and limits may be modified using
the PARAMETER and LIMIT commands.
The brace side SCF values obtained from the Kuang equations may be modified using the Marshall
Reduction factor if required using the REDUCTION command.
In addition, minimum SCF values may be specified, to provide a lower bound for any computed SCF,
using the SCFM command.
3.7.3. Influence Functions

Conventional SCF formulations assume a certain loading condition in determining the SCF values viz:
Axial loads in K, KT and X joints are assumed balanced
Out-of-plane bending in K and KT joints is assumed unbalanced
Out-of-plane bending in X joints is assumed balanced
40
Stress Concentration Factors

In-plane bending in K joints is assumed balanced
For simple joints in a framed structure these assumptions are often reasonably valid and will provide
good estimates of the structural behavior. For more complex joints, however, the load paths become
much more ill-defined and it is not possible to easily determine their effects on the hot spot stresses.
The influence function approach automatically accounts for load dependency by not only computing
SCF values which are multiplied by the reference brace, but also generating influence terms which are
multiplied by loading in adjacent braces at the joint in question. The key principle involved in this
methodology is the superposition of linear elastic stress fields which enables a hot spot stress to be
computed from the sum of the contributions from all braces at a joint.
The influence functions derived by Efthymiou (Ref. 11) have been incorporated into FATJACK and are
utilized by including the INFL option in the preliminary data (without this option the conventional SCF
values are computed). At present only planar braces are considered in the influence function computations, the multiplanar effects considered as being small by comparison.
Note that the SCFM command has no effect on computed influence functions.
For any joints where the Efthymiou equations cannot be (or are not) applied, conventional SCF values
are computed (if requested). It is not currently possible to mix conventional SCFs (either explicitly
defined or computed) with influence functions for a given joint.
3.7.4. SCF Interpolation

Where SCF values are given for the crown and saddle locations, intermediate SCFs are developed by
interpolating the defined values. At present linear interpolation is used.
Note that this normally requires that a non-zero SCF term is given for the in-plane bending term at the
saddle, and the out-of-plane bending term at the crown. For automatically generated terms the following
convention is adopted:
SCFips = SCFipc
SCFopc = SCFops
where:
ips
in-plane bending saddle
41

ipc
in-plane bending crown
opc
out-of-plane bending crown
ops
out-of-plane bending saddle
3.7.5. Annotated SCF File Generation

Since FATJACK is joint based, all valid elements connected to a joint will be processed. There may be
situations where certain elements are not required for fatigue processing and these may be selectively
deactivated by defining them as secondary elements. Note that the secondary elements are effectively
removed from the joint and thus will not be included in the joint classification and, hence, any automatic
SCF evaluation that may be requested. Similarly secondary members will not be included in any influence
function computations where this is operative (see Influence Functions (p. 40)).
Example 3.1: Example Generated SCF File
*
* JOINT
1420
* CHORD
1001
* CONNECTING BRACES
151
1101
*
SCFJ 1420 151 BRAC 7.23 7.23 3.78
SCFJ 1420 151 CHOR 9.15 9.15 4.44
SCFJ 1420 1101 BRAC 2.40 2.40 2.89
SCFJ 1420 1101 CHOR 3.81 3.81 2.40
*
* JOINT
1520
* CHORD
1005
* CONNECTING BRACES
141
152
*
SCFJ 1520 141 BRAC 2.15 15.82 4.05
SCFJ 1520 141 CHOR 5.65 24.07 5.41
SCFJ 1520 152 BRAC 2.05 13.90 3.78
SCFJ 1520 152 CHOR 4.51 18.56 4.44
SCFJ 1520 122 BRAC 1.41 27.97 4.67
SCFJ 1520 122 CHOR 5.42 71.29 9.20
SCFJ 1520 121 BRAC 1.41 27.97 4.67
SCFJ 1520 121 CHOR 5.42 71.29 9.20
*
* JOINT
2330
* CHORD
0
* CONNECTING BRACES
906
905
*
SCFJ 2330 906 BRAC
1.00
1.00
SCFJ 2330 906 CHOR
1.00
1.00
SCFJ 2330 905 BRAC
1.00
1.00
SCFJ 2330 905 CHOR
1.00
1.00
SCFJ 2330 225 BRAC
1.00
1.00
SCFJ 2330 225 CHOR
1.00
1.00
SCFJ 2330 226 BRAC
1.00
1.00
SCFJ 2330 226 CHOR
1.00
1.00
SCFJ 2330 205 BRAC
1.00
1.00
SCFJ 2330 205 CHOR
1.00
1.00
42
3.78 10.47 10.47 * K JOINT E

4.44 13.04 13.04 *
E
2.89 5.58 5.58 * K JOINT E
2.40 6.95 6.95 *
E
122
4.05
5.41
3.78
4.44
4.67
9.20
4.67
9.20
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E+
E+
E+
E+
E
E
E
E
E+
E+
E+
E+
E
E
E
E
E+
E+
E+
E+
E
E
E
E
E+
E+
E+
E+
E
E
E
E
E+
E+
E+
E+
121
12.33
17.33
10.95
13.64
16.99
37.25
16.99
37.25
12.33
17.33
10.95
13.64
16.99
37.25
16.99
37.25
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
225
226
205
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
T JOINT E
E
Y JOINT E
E
X JOINT E=
E+
X JOINT E=
E+
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
UN JOINT
UN JOINT
UN JOINT
UN JOINT
UNJOINT
Element Cross Sections

The annotation after each SCFJ command corresponds to the following convention:
SCFJ joint brace BRAC
SCFJ joint brace CHOR
a
scf values (6)
*a
scf values (6)
joint type
equation (6)
equation (6)
equation (6)
where equation (i) is the requested empirical formulation identifier (W, K, D, E) for the printed scf value
(i).
The equation (i) is optionally followed by + or =. If + is printed this signifies that one or more parameters
were exceeded for the given location and the value corresponding to the computed parameters are
reported. If = is printed this signifies that one or more parameters were exceeded for the given location,
and the value corresponding to the limiting parameters are reported.
3.8. S-N Curves

S-N curves relate stress range information (S) to number of cycles to failure (N). Basic design curves
consist of linear or bi-linear relationships between log (S) and log (N). FATJACK enables S-N data to be
defined by reference to a library of S-N design curves from various recognized sources viz:
Department of Energy T curve
Department of Energy F2 curve
American Petroleum Institute X curve
American Petroleum Institute X curve
Danish Standard DS449 tubular joint curve
Other curves may be defined explicitly by providing an ordinate on the curve and associated slope.
Multi-linear curves are supported, as are curves with a cut-off stress below which no damage occurs.
Thickness correction may be applied to the S-N curves to account for varying plate thickness. This correction (requested using the THIC command) has the effect of shifting the S-N curves to reduce the fatigue
strength with increasing thickness. The correction makes
3.9. Units
FATJACK requires that UNITS are defined for any dimensional input data to FATJACK itself.
Note, however, that the geometric angular data unit defaults to degrees, and wave frequencies are always
defined in Hertz.
The user must ensure that they are consistent with the units adopted in the structural model.
If local modified input data units are required, this is achieved by specifying one or more UNITS commands within the main body of the FATJACK data thus permitting a combination of unit systems
within the one data file (see UNITS command).
The results units cannot be modified since they are dimensionless or are in non-standard units.
3.10. Element Cross Sections

Any design data provided (using the DESI command) will overwrite the section information. Likewise,
for non-tubular sections, use of the INSP SYMM, INSP POSN or SCFPOINT commands will replace the
section data.
43
3.11. Results presentation

Results can be viewed within the Mechanical application if using a Design Assessment system with the
FATJACK Assessment Type. By default the results will also be output to a text file of the same name as
the input file, having the .out extension. The type and format of the results to be presented in this
file is determined using the PRINT command. A number of options exist that permit a wide variety of
information to be reported with as much or as little detail as required. These are set based upon input
data if using FATJACK through a Design Assessment system.
Results can also be obtained dynamically as described in the following sections:
3.11.1. Obtaining Results
3.11.2. FATJACK Results
3.11.1. Obtaining Results

FATJACK results can be brought into Excel using a custom plugin or can be accessed through Python
functions. See Accessing Results using Excel in the Mechanical BEAMST User's Manual and Accessing
Results using Python in the Mechanical BEAMST User's Manual for more information.
3.11.2. FATJACK Results

The results saved by FATJACK are dependent on the type of fatigue analysis carried out and the options
selected for the run. This section discusses the following types of results:
3.11.2.1. Fatigue Usage Factor Results
3.11.2.2. Damage per Wave Results
3.11.2.3. Stress Range Results
3.11.2.4. Stress Histogram Results
3.11.2.1. Fatigue Usage Factor Results

Fatigue usage factor results are stored under results type FATJACK USAGE. The results are stored on a
number of surfaces, with each surface representing an inspection point. The results are stored as element
results on result set 1 and subset 0. Results components are as tabulated below. Components marked
* are stored as character strings:
RESULTS
COMPONENT
DESCRIPTION
NO.INSPP
No of inspection points
INSP.PNT
Inspection point number
CHORD1
First chord number
CHORD2
Second chord number
JT.TYPE
Joint type *
CHD/BRC
Chord/brace *
S-N
S-N table name *
FAIL
Failure flag *
CHOR.DIA
Chord diameter
CHOR.THK
Chord thickness
CHOR.LEN
Chord length
44
Results presentation
RESULTS
COMPONENT
DESCRIPTION
CHOR.FIX
Chord fixity
BRAC.DIA
Brace diameter
BRAC.THK
Brace thickness
INSET
Inset (TUBE)
ANGLE
Inspection point angle (TUBE)
Y-COOR
Y coordinate of point on section (non-TUBE)
Z-COOR
Z coordinate of point on section (non-TUBE)
SCF.AXBR
Brace axial SCF
SCF.IPBR
Brace in-plane SCF
SCF.OPBR
Brace out-of-plane SCF
SCF.AXCH
usChord axial SCF
SCF.IPCH
Chord in-plane SCF
SCF.OPCH
Chord out-of-plane SCF
USAGE
Usage factor
LIFE
Fatigue life
3.11.2.2. Damage per Wave Results

If print option DAMW was selected in the FATJACK run then the following additional information is
stored under results type DAMAGE PER WAVE. The results are stored as element results on result set
LC and sub-set 0. For spectral analysis, LC = IWVSPC, where IWVSPC is the spectrum number (1 IWVSPC
NSPEC) and NSPEC is the number of spectra. For all other analysis types, LC =ICASE, where ICASE is
the user wave case number.
RESULTS
COMPONENT
DESCRIPTION
JOINT
Joint number
BRACE
Brace number
WAVE
Wave number
CHD/BRC
Chord/brace *
ANGLE
Inspection point angle (TUBE elements)
DAMAGE
Damage per wave
Y-COOR
Inspection point Y coord (BEAM elements)
Z-COOR
Inspection point Z coord (BEAM elements)
3.11.2.3. Stress Range Results

These results are saved if options PEAK or RNGE are specified in the FATJACK data. If utilization factors
have been requested then stress utilization factors will be saved.
Results will be stored under one of the following results types as appropriate:
SIGNED PEAK STRESS
45

PEAK STRESS UTILS
STRESS RANGE
STRESS RANGE UTILS
The results are stored as element results on result set 1 and sub-set IDETM, where IDETM is the system
deterministic case number (1 IDETM NDETM) and NDETM is the number of deterministic cases.
The results are stored as element results on results set LC and sub set 0, where LC is the user wave case
number.
Results components are as tabulated below. Components marked * are stored as character strings:
RESULTS
COMPONENT
DESCRIPTION
JOINT
Joint number
BRACE
Brace number
WAVE
Wave number
CHD/BRC
Chord/brace *
ANGLE
Y-COOR
Z-COOR
STRESS
Signed peak stress or stress range
UTILS
Utilization factor
3.11.2.4. Stress Histogram Results

If option OCRW is specified in a spectral fatigue job, the following element results are saved under
result type OCCUR EACH WAVE. The results are stored on result set IWVSPC and sub-set ISUB, where
IWVSPC is the spectrum number (1 IWVSPC NSPEC) and NSPEC is the number of spectra, ISUB = 1
for brace side results, and ISUB = 2 for chord side results (if they are also stored).
Components marked + are stored on a per interval basis and require an interval to be entered as the
result position when obtaining the values via the function axlgetelementex.
RESULTS
COMPONENT
DESCRIPTION
NO.WAVE
Number of spectra
WAVE
Spectrum number
NO.TRFUN
Number of transfer functions
TR.FUNC
Transfer function number
NO.INTVL
Number of intervals
ANGLE
OCURENCE
Inspection point angle

+
Occurrence for stress range interval 1
If option OCRT is specified in a spectral fatigue job, the following element results are saved under results
type OCCUR EACH TRANSFER. The results are stored on result set ITRANS and sub-set ISUB, where ITRANS
46
Results presentation
is the user transfer function number, ISUB=1 for brace side results, and ISUB = 2 for chord side results
(if they are also stored).
RESULTS
COMPONENT
DESCRIPTION
NO.TRFUN
TR.FUNC
Transfer function number
NO.INTVL
Number of intervals
ANGLE
OCURENCE
If option OCRT is specified in a spectral fatigue job, the following element results are saved under result
type RANGE HISTOGRAM. The results are stored on result set 1 and sub-set ISUB. For brace side results,
ISUB=1. For chord side results (if they are also stored), ISUB=2.
RESULTS
COMPONENT
DESCRIPTION
NO.WAVE
Number of spectra
NO.TRFUN
NO.INTVL
Number of intervals
ANGLE
TOTAL
STRESS
Total occurrence
+
OCURENCE
Stress range for interval 1

+
If option OCUR is specified in a time history fatigue job, the following element results are saved under
result type RANGE HISTOGRAM. The results are stored on result set LC and sub-set ISUB, where LC is
the user time history case number, ISUB=1 for brace side results, and ISUB = 2 for chord side results (if
they are also stored).
RESULTS
COMPONENT
DESCRIPTION
NO.WAVE
Number of time histories
WAVE
Time history number
NO.INTVL
Number of intervals
ANGLE
Y-COOR
Z-COOR

47

RESULTS
COMPONENT
DESCRIPTION
STRESS+
Stress range for interval 1
OCURENCE
48
Chapter 4: FATJACK Command Reference

The data for FATJACK consists of a set of commands which indicate the type of calculation to be performed and the content of the output. The basic data structure is as follows:
Except for stress and time history calculations, FATJACK expects each load condition to consist of a pair
of loadcases representing the real and imaginary parts of the applied cyclic loading. Mechanical APDL
automatically outputs pairs of loadcases if the harmonic option is selected. The term wave case is used
in the FATJACK data description to indicate which pair of cases is being referred to. For example, wave
case 2 refers to the 2nd wave analyzed using the harmonic option or the 3rd and 4th loadcase from a
static analysis.
For stress history analyses a wave case may generate any number of loadcases. For time history analyses,
a wave history case refers to the analysis results obtained for a specific wave condition. The details of
the commands required for each analysis type are given in the following sections.
4.1. FATJACK Free Format Syntax

4.1.1. General Description
4.1.2. Special Symbols
4.1.1. General Description

The input data for FATJACK are specified according to syntax diagrams similar to that shown below.
The conventions adopted are described in the following pages. Detailed descriptions of each of the
data items can be found in the remainder of this chapter.
Each data item consists as follows

49
FATJACK Command Reference
Each horizontal branch represents a possible input instruction. Input instructions are composed of
keywords (shown in UPPER-CASE), numerical values or alphanumerics (shown in lower-case) and
special symbols. Each item in the list is separated from each other by a comma or one or more blank
spaces.
An input line must not be longer than 80 characters.
Numerical values have to be given in one of two forms:
i.
If an integer is specified, a decimal point must not be supplied.
ii. If a real value is specified, the decimal point may be omitted if the value is a whole number.
Exponent formats may be utilized where real numbers are required. For example, the following are
equivalent:
0.004
4.0E-3
4.0D-3
Similarly, the following have the same value:
410.0
410
4.10E2
Alphanumerics are any non-numeric strings, which may include the letters A-Z, numbers 0-9, and the
characters +, -, / and :. The letters A-Z may be supplied in either uppercase or lowercase, but no distinction is made between the uppercase and lowercase form. Hence A is assumed identical with a, B
with b and so on. For example, the following are all permissible alphanumeric strings:
CASE
STR1 END
3mm
Similarly, the following are all identical strings:
COMB
Comb
comb
Alphanumeric strings must not include any special symbols (See Special Symbols (p. 51)).
50
FATJACK Free Format Syntax

If certain lines are optional, these are shown by an arrow which bypasses the line(s):
In order to build up a block of data, a line or a series of lines may need to be repeated until the complete
set has been defined. This is shown by an arrow which loops back:
If certain data items within a command line are optional, these are shown by an arrow which bypasses
the appropriate item:
Some data lines require an integer or real list to be input whose length is variable. This is shown by a
horizontal arrow around the list variable(s):
Where one or more possible alternative items may appear in the list, these are shown by separate
branches for each:
4.1.2. Special Symbols

The following is a list of characters which have a special significance to the FATJACK input:
*
An asterisk is used to define the beginning of a comment, whatever follows on the

line will not be interpreted. It may appear anywhere on the line, any preceding data
will be processed as normal. For example:
* THIS IS A COMMENT FOR THE WHOLE LINE
CASE 4 2.7 * THIS IS A COMMENT FOR PART OF A LINE
51

'
Single quotes are used to enclose some text strings which could contain otherwise
inadmissible characters. The quotes are placed at each end of the string. They may
also be used to provide in-line comments between data items on a given line. For
example:
STRUCTURE As used for design study STRU
A comma or one or more consecutive blanks will act as a delimiter between items
in the line.
For example, 5, 10, 15 is the same as 5 10 15
Note that two commas together signify that an item has been omitted. This may
be permissible for certain data blocks.
For example: 5,, 15 is the same as 5 0 15
Unless otherwise stated in the section describing the data block, omitted
numerical values are zero.
A colon at the start of the line signifies that the line is a continuation from the
previous line.
For example
5
: 10
: 15
is the same as 5 10 15
A command @filename may appear anywhere in a data file. When such a command
is encountered, the input of data switches to the file filename and data continues to
be read from that file until either the end-of-file is reached or an @ command is
encountered in the secondary file.
When the end of the secondary file is reached, that file is closed and input
switches back to the previous data file. If, however, an @ command is found in
the secondary file, input switches to yet another file. This process can continue
until a maximum of 5 secondary files are open simultaneously.
For example
@prelim.dat
@wave.dat
@design.dat
@scf.dat
@spectral.dat
design.dat might then contain the lines
@type.dat
@desi.dat
@gap.dat
@chord.dat
finally
52
FATJACK Priority of Data Assignments

type.dat contains the joint designation data
desi.dat contains the design geometry data
etc
4.2. FATJACK Priority of Data Assignments

There are a number of commands that allow element and element step data to be assigned in terms
of element, group or property numbers. These appear in the command syntax diagrams in the following
format:
The priority of such assignments is defined below:

Element data - use element data assigned to individual elements (ELEM)
if none - use element data assigned to the group the element belongs to (GROU)
if none - use element data assigned to the property integer used by the element (PROP)
if none - no element data assigned to element.
Step data - use step data assigned to individual elements (ELEM)
if none - use step data assigned to the group the element belongs to (GROU)
if none - use step data assigned to the property integer used by the element (PROP)
if none - use element data assigned to individual elements (ELEM)
if none - use element data assigned to the group the element belongs to (GROU)
if none - use element data assigned to the property integer used by the element (PROP)
if none - no step data assigned to element.
Element and step data assignment is not order dependant. This is demonstrated by the following example:
COMMand
COMMand
COMMand
COMMand
....
....
....
....
data1
data2
data3
data4
ELEM
GROU
ELEM
PROP
1
5
2
1
Assuming elements 1 and 2 are in group 5:

Element 1 has data1 assigned
Element 2 has data3 assigned
All other elements in group 5 have data 2 assigned
All elements with property integer 1, except elements 1 and 2 and elements in group 5, have data4 assigned.
53

It should be noted that when step data is explicitly being defined it overrides any element assignments
even if the step data is assigned to a group or property and the element data assigned to an individual
element. Thus in the following example:
COMMand
COMMand
COMMand
COMMand
....
....
....
....
data1
data2
data3
data4
STEP
STEP
ELEM
STEP
2 GROU 5
2 PROP 1
1
2 ELEM 2
Step 2 of element 1 has data1 assigned because the group assignment overrides the property assignment.
In this instance the step specific group assignment also overrides the element assignment which is not
step specific.
Step 2 of element 2 has data4 assigned.
Step 2 of all other elements in group 5 have data1 assigned.
Step 2 of all elements with property integer 1, except those in group 5, have data2 assigned.
All steps, except step 2, of element 1 have data3 assigned.
No data is assigned to any steps, other than step 2, for any elements other than element 1.
Note also that if a command is assigned more than once to a given element, group or property, a
warning will be issued and the last defined value, or values, adopted.
4.3. Preliminary Data

The preliminary data is the first block of the FATJACK data. It defines the memory size to be used, the
project name, structure and component names, file names and options to be used. It also defines which
files are to be saved for further processing.
54
Fatigue Analysis method
The preliminary data must contain at least a JOB, STRUCTURE and END command. Other commands
should be used as appropriate.
4.4. Fatigue Analysis method

4.4.1. ANALYSIS command
4.4.2. Deterministic Analysis
4.4.3. Spectral Analysis
4.4.4. Stress History Analysis
4.4.5.Time History Analysis
4.4.1. ANALYSIS command

The ANALYSIS command selects the method of analysis to be utilized. This command must immediately
follow the preliminary data.
55
Parameters
ANALYSIS
Keyword
DETERMINISTIC
Keyword to select a deterministic analysis.
SPECTRAL
Keyword to select a spectral fatigue analysis.
STRESS HISTORY
Keyword to select a stress history analysis.
Notes
1. One of these analysis type keywords must appear as the first line after the preliminary data.
2. The analysis type determines the valid commands that may be utilized within the input data file. The following sections Deterministic Analysis (p. 56) to Time History Analysis (p. 69) summarize the available
commands for each type of analysis.
Examples
ANALYSIS SPECTRAL
ANALYSIS STRESS
4.4.2. Deterministic Analysis

This type of analysis requires two sets of data:
Target fatigue life (YEAR). Computed lives below this figure will be reported as having failed.
Wave occurrence data in the form of number of occurrences per year (DETE). This data may either explicitly
reference waves that have been analyzed; that is, referred to in the WAVE data, or may consist of wave height
occurrences, in which case interpolation is carried out to obtain member forces for wave heights that have
not been analyzed. This second approach permits a limited number of waves to be structurally analyzed
whilst providing a much more detailed fatigue definition.
Deterministic Commands
Command
Description
Usage
ANALYSIS
DETERMINISTIC
Selects deterministic analysis method
56
Note

Command
Description
Usage
JOINT
Selects joints at which fatigue lives are

calculated
WAVE
Specifies wave information from analysis
CHORD
Chord elements at a joint
DESIGN
Modified section properties for elements
GAP
Gap dimensions for specific braces at a joint
GAPDEFAULT
Default gap dimension
INSET
Inset distance for moment backoff
SECONDARY
Secondary elements to be ignored in checks
TYPE
Joint definition and classification
INSPECTION
Inspection point selection
LIMITS
SCF empirical equation limits modification
PARAMETER
SCF empirical parameter modification
REDUCTION
Requests Marshall Reduction
SCF TUB
DEFAULT
Default SCF value
Default SCF value
Default SCF value
Default SCF value
SCF RHS
DEFAULT
SCF WF
DEFAULT
Note
1
2
SCF BOX
DEFAULT
SCF AUTO
DEFAULT
Default SCF equations to be used in

generation
SCF AUTO
JOINT
SCF equations to be used at specific joints
SCFANGLE
SCF values at specific inspection points on

tubular braces
SCFBRACE
User defined SCF values for non-tubular

braces
SCFJOINT
User defined saddle and crown SCFs
SCFMINIMUM
Minimum SCF values
SCFPOINT
SCF values at specific inspection points on

non-tubular braces
THICKNESS
Requests S-N thickness correction
CURVE
User defined S-N damage curve definition
DETE
Wave occurrence data
S-N
S-N curve assignment
YEAR
Target fatigue life
PRINT
Report options
57

Command
Description
Usage
STOP
Terminates data input
Note
Usage
C
Compulsory command, but see notes below where applicable.
Notes
1. This data can be generated by FATJACK using the WAVE AUTO command provided the wave loading was
generated using the Mechanical application.
2. Whilst not compulsory it is recommended that a default gap is specified. In the absence of such a command,
braces forming a K or KT configuration will have the gap computed unless specific GAP data is supplied.
This may result in incorrect SCF calculations at joints with simplified modelling.
3. The Marshall Reduction factor is only applicable to SCF values generated using the Kuang equations.
4. The SCF DEFAULT command must be supplied for each section type that is to be processed.
5. In the absence of a PRINT command a detailed report will be produced.
4.4.2.1. Deterministic Analysis Example

The data has the following characteristics:
New structure defined
Time history results retrieved from multiple structures
Time history occurrence specified with probabilities
Stress range intervals for cycle counting computed automatically
Example 4.1: Example of Deterministic Analysis Data File
SYSTEM DATA AREA 200000
PROJECT FATD
JOB POST
FILES JACD
STRUCTURE JACD
TITLE FATJACK USER MANUAL EXAMPLE
OPTIONS GOON NODL NOBL PRNO
UNITS KN M
END
ANALYSIS DETERMINISTIC
SCF TUBE DEFA 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
*USE GENERIC DEFINITION FOR SCF EQUATIONS
SCF AUTO JOINT EFTHYMIOU
: 1110 2210 1120 1210 1520 2130 1420 1130 1540 1140 1150 1440
: 1310 1350 2330 1330 2520 2540 2110 2120 3130 3210 2420 2140 2150 2440 3250
: 2310 2350 3350 3310 3420 3440 3110 3120 4130 3520 4210 3540 3140 3150 4250
: 3330 4330 4110 4150 4310 4350 2250 1250
WAVE AUTO
*THE FOLLOWING JOINTS ARE CONNECTED TO AN ELEMENT
JOIN 1110 2210 1120 1210 1520 2130 1420 1130 1540 1140 1150 1440 1250 2250
: 1310 1350 2330 1330 2520 2540 2110 2120 3130 3210 2420 2140 2150 2440 3250
: 2310 2350 3350 3310 3420 3440 3110 3120 4130 3520 4210 3540 3140 3150 4250
: 3330 4330 4110 4150 4310 4350
SECO ELEM 1505 1506 1509 504 1510 503 514 513 524 523 1401 825 1201 1203 827
58

: 1402 1204 1501 1202 1502 1503 1504
*
*EXPLICIT DEFINITION OF K JOINT AND ASSOCIATED CHORD
CHORD 1330
105 106
LENGTH 20.0
FIX 0.7
TYPE 1330 K
125 126
GAP1330125 126 -0.03 THRU 125
*USER DEFINED SN CURVE WITH THICKNESS CORRECTION, REQUIRES BASE THICKNESS
*TO BE SPECIFIED
UNITS N MM
CURV USR1 MULT 45.0 1.0E7 3.56
:
45.0 1.0E7 4.56
: THICK 20.0
S-N USR1 ELEM ALL
THICK
UNITS KN M
DETE HEIGHT 699458 1.0 0.0
DAF 1.6
DETE HEIGHT 685279 1.0 45.0
DAF 1.6
DETE HEIGHT 615024 1.0 90.0
DAF 1.6
DETE HEIGHT 568370 1.0 135.0 DAF 1.6
DETE HEIGHT 180369 2.0 0.0
DAF 1.5
DETE HEIGHT 167805 2.0 45.0
DAF 1.5
DETE HEIGHT 167650 2.0 90.0
DAF 1.5
DETE HEIGHT 156061 2.0 135.0 DAF 1.5
DETE HEIGHT 46512 3.0 0.0
DAF 1.45
DETE HEIGHT 41091 3.0 45.0
DAF 1.45
DETE HEIGHT 45700 3.0 90.0
DAF 1.45
DETE HEIGHT 42851 3.0 135.0 DAF 1.45
DETE HEIGHT 11994 4.0 0.0
DAF 1.38
DETE HEIGHT 10062 4.0 45.0
DAF 1.38
DETE HEIGHT 12458 4.0 90.0
DAF 1.38
DETE HEIGHT 11766 4.0 135.0 DAF 1.38
DETE HEIGHT 3093
5.0 0.0
DAF 1.32
DETE HEIGHT 2464
5.0 45.0
DAF 1.32
DETE HEIGHT 3396
5.0 90.0
DAF 1.32
DETE HEIGHT 3231
5.0 135.0 DAF 1.32
DETE HEIGHT 798
6.0 0.0
DAF 1.25
DETE HEIGHT 603
6.0 45.0
DAF 1.25
DETE HEIGHT 926
6.0 90.0
DAF 1.25
DETE HEIGHT 887
6.0 135.0 DAF 1.25
DETE HEIGHT 206
7.0 0.0
DAF 1.2
DETE HEIGHT 148
7.0 45.0
DAF 1.2
DETE HEIGHT 252
7.0 90.0
DAF 1.2
DETE HEIGHT 244
7.0 135.0 DAF 1.2
DETE HEIGHT 53
8.0 0.0
DAF 1.15
DETE HEIGHT 36
8.0 45.0
DAF 1.15
DETE HEIGHT 69
8.0 90.0
DAF 1.15
DETE HEIGHT 67
8.0 135.0 DAF 1.15
DETE HEIGHT 14
9.0 0.0
DAF 1.10
DETE HEIGHT 9
9.0 45.0
DAF 1.10
DETE HEIGHT 19
9.0 90.0
DAF 1.10
DETE HEIGHT 18
9.0 135.0 DAF 1.10
DETE HEIGHT 4
10.0 0.0
DAF 1.05
DETE HEIGHT 2
10.0 45.0
DAF 1.05
DETE HEIGHT 5
10.0 90.0
DAF 1.05
DETE HEIGHT 5
10.0 135.0 DAF 1.05
DETE HEIGHT 1
11.0 0.0
DAF 1.01
DETE HEIGHT 1
11.0 45.0
DAF 1.01
DETE HEIGHT 1
11.0 90.0
DAF 1.01
DETE HEIGHT 1
11.0 135.0 DAF 1.01
DETE HEIGHT 0
12.0 0.0
DETE HEIGHT 0
12.0 45.0
DETE HEIGHT 0
12.0 90.0
DETE HEIGHT 0
12.0 135.0
YEAR 50.0
PRIN XCHE DETA USAG SUMM SCFE
STOP
4.4.3. Spectral Analysis

This type of analysis requires three compulsory sets of data and two optional sets:
59

Target fatigue life (YEAR). Computed lives below this figure will be reported as having failed. This is compulsory.
Transfer function definition. It is normal to assign all the analyzed waves for a given direction to a particular
transfer function. This is achieved using the TRANSFER command which also permits dynamic amplification
factors to be applied. This is compulsory.
Sea state spectra definition. For each transfer function a series of sea state spectra are defined using the
SPECTRUM command. A variety of spectra are available viz:
Scott-Weigel
JONSWAP
Pierson-Moskowitz
Ochi-Hubble
Each spectrum is associated with a probability of occurrence. This command is compulsory.
Wave spreading effects may be included using the SPREAD command. Three spreading functions are available
including those associated with Mitsuyasu (Ref. 8) and Goda (Ref. 9). This command is optional.
Additional frequencies may be defined at which the transfer function is to be computed. This permits a
limited number of waves to be structurally analyzed whilst providing a more detailed fatigue definition and
is particularly suitable for structures that respond linearly to increasing wave heights. This command is optional.
Table 4.1: Spectral Commands
Command
Description
Usage
ANALYSIS
SPECTRAL
Selects spectral analysis method
JOINT
Selects joints at which fatigue lives are calculated
WAVE
CHORD
DESIGN
GAP
GAPDEFAULT
INSET
SECONDARY
TYPE
INSPECTION
LIMITS
PARAMETER
REDUCTION
SCF TUB DEFAULT
Default SCF value
SCF RHS DEFAULT
Default SCF value
SCF WF DEFAULT
Default SCF value
SCF BOX
DEFAULT
Default SCF value
60
Note
1
2

Command
Description
Usage
Note
SCF AUTO
DEFAULT
Default SCF equations to be used in generation
SCF AUTO JOINT
SCFANGLE
SCF values at specific inspection points on tubular braces
SCFBRACE
User defined SCF values for non-tubular braces
SCFJOINT
SCFMINIMUM
Minimum SCF values
SCFPOINT
SCF values at specific inspection points on non-tubular

braces
THICKNESS
ACCE
Gravitational acceleration term
CURVE
S-N damage curve definition
FREQUENCY
Additional interpolated frequencies
S-N
User defined S-N curve assignment
SIGM
Stress histogram information
SPECTRUM
Wave spectrum probabilities
SPREADING
Requests wave spreading
TRANSFER
Transfer function data
YEAR
Target fatigue life
PRINT
Report options
STOP
7
C
Usage
C
Notes
5. S-N data does not have to be supplied if a stress histogram report has been requested using the PRINT
command.
6. Stress histogram information is only required if requested using the PRINT command.
61
4.4.3.1. Spectral Analysis Example

Automatic wave information recovery
Explicit SCF definitions using @ file facility
Secondary elements
Design data for leg members
Utilizes built in S-N curve with thickness correction and user defined power
Four sea-states
Example 4.2: Example of Spectral Analysis Data File
WAVE AUTO
JOIN 1110 2210 1120 1210 1520 2130 1420 1130 1540 1140 1150 1440 1250 2250
: 1310 1350 2330 1330 2520 2540 2110 2120 3130 3210 2420 2140 2150 2440 3250
: 2310 2350 3350 3310 3420 3440 3110 3120 4130 3520 4210 3540 3140 3150 4250
: 3330 4330 4110 4150 4310 4350
*DEFINE DESIGN PROPERTIES FOR LEG MEMBERS
DESIGN.PROPERTIES TUB 2.4 0.05 GROUP 8
SECO ELEM 1505 1506 1509 504 1510 503 514 513 524 523 1401 825 1201 1203 827
: 1402 1204 1501 1202 1502 1503 1504
S-N APXD ELEM ALL
THICKNESS.CORRECTION 0.25 *POWER SET TO 0.25 INSTEAD OF DEFAULT 0.3
TRAN 100 1 1.0030 2 1.0119 3 1.0215 4 1.0340 5 1.0496 6 1.0689
TRAN 100 7 1.0919 8 1.1197 9 1.1850 10 1.2726 11 1.3607 12 1.4718
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.25 2.5
0.1121
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.25 3.5
1.4573
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.25 4.5
2.6904
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.25 5.5
1.6815
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.25 6.5
0.5605
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.25 7.5
0.1121
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.75 2.5
0.3363
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.75 3.5
8.5196
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.75 4.5
11.7705
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.75 5.5
7.6228
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.75 6.5
3.363
SPEC 100 PMOS 0.75 7.5
0.5605
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.25 3.5
4.9324
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.25 4.5
11.6584
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.25 5.5
9.7527
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.25 6.5
4.9324
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.25 7.5
1.2331
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.25 8.5
0.1121
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.75 3.5
0.5605
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.75 4.5
5.7171
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.75 5.5
7.7349
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.75 6.5
4.2598
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.75 7.5
1.3452
SPEC 100 PMOS 1.75 8.5
0.1121
SPEC 100 PMOS 2.25 4.5
1.7936
SPEC 100 PMOS 2.25 5.5
4.8203
SPEC 100 PMOS 2.25 6.5
3.2509
SPEC 100 PMOS 2.25 7.5
1.0089
SPEC 100 PMOS 2.25 8.5
0.1121
SPEC 100 PMOS 2.75 4.5
0.2242
SPEC 100 PMOS 2.75 5.5
1.9057
SPEC 100 PMOS 2.75 6.5
2.242
SPEC 100 PMOS 2.75 7.5
0.7847
SPEC 100 PMOS 2.75 8.5
0.1121
SPEC 100 PMOS 3.25 5.5
0.5605
SPEC 100 PMOS 3.25 6.5
1.2331
62

SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
TRAN
TRAN
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
TRAN
TRAN
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
PMOS 3.25
PMOS 3.25
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 4.25
PMOS 4.25
PMOS 4.25
PMOS 4.75
PMOS 4.75
PMOS 5.25
13 1.0030
19 1.0919
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.75
PMOS 2.75
PMOS 2.75
PMOS 2.75
PMOS 2.75
PMOS 3.25
PMOS 3.25
PMOS 3.25
PMOS 3.25
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 4.25
PMOS 4.25
PMOS 4.25
PMOS 4.75
PMOS 4.75
PMOS 5.25
25 1.0030
31 1.0919
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
7.5
0.5605
8.5
0.1121
5.5
0.1121
6.5
0.4484
7.5
0.3363
8.5
0.1121
6.5
0.1121
7.5
0.2242
8.5
0.1121
7.5
0.1121
8.5
0.1121
8.5
0.1121
14 1.0119 15 1.0215
20 1.1197 21 1.1850
2.5
0.1413
3.5
1.8369
4.5
3.3912
5.5
2.1195
6.5
0.7065
7.5
0.1413
2.5
0.4239
3.5
10.7388
4.5
14.8365
5.5
9.6084
6.5
4.239
7.5
0.7065
3.5
6.2172
4.5
14.6952
5.5
12.2931
6.5
6.2172
7.5
1.5543
8.5
0.1413
3.5
0.7065
4.5
7.2063
5.5
9.7497
6.5
5.3694
7.5
1.6956
8.5
0.1413
4.5
2.2608
5.5
6.0759
6.5
4.0977
7.5
1.2717
8.5
0.1413
4.5
0.2826
5.5
2.4021
6.5
2.826
7.5
0.9891
8.5
0.1413
5.5
0.7065
6.5
1.5543
7.5
0.7065
8.5
0.1413
5.5
0.1413
6.5
0.5652
7.5
0.4239
8.5
0.1413
6.5
0.1413
7.5
0.2826
8.5
0.1413
7.5
0.1413
8.5
0.1413
8.5
0.1413
26 1.0119 27 1.0215
32 1.1197 33 1.1850
2.5
0.1973
3.5
2.5649
4.5
4.7352
5.5
2.9595
6.5
0.9865
7.5
0.1973
2.5
0.5919
3.5
14.9948
16 1.0340 17 1.0496 18 1.0689

22 1.2726 23 1.3607 24 1.4718
28 1.0340 29 1.0496 30 1.0689

34 1.2726 35 1.3607 36 1.4718
63

SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
TRAN
TRAN
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
64
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.75
PMOS 2.75
PMOS 2.75
PMOS 2.75
PMOS 2.75
PMOS 3.25
PMOS 3.25
PMOS 3.25
PMOS 3.25
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 3.75
PMOS 4.25
PMOS 4.25
PMOS 4.25
PMOS 4.75
PMOS 4.75
PMOS 5.25
37 1.0030
43 1.0919
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.25
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 0.75
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.25
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 1.75
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.25
PMOS 2.75
4.5
20.7165
5.5
13.4164
6.5
5.919
7.5
0.9865
3.5
8.6812
4.5
20.5192
5.5
17.1651
6.5
8.6812
7.5
2.1703
8.5
0.1973
3.5
0.9865
4.5
10.0623
5.5
13.6137
6.5
7.4974
7.5
2.3676
8.5
0.1973
4.5
3.1568
5.5
8.4839
6.5
5.7217
7.5
1.7757
8.5
0.1973
4.5
0.3946
5.5
3.3541
6.5
3.946
7.5
1.3811
8.5
0.1973
5.5
0.9865
6.5
2.1703
7.5
0.9865
8.5
0.1973
5.5
0.1973
6.5
0.7892
7.5
0.5919
8.5
0.1973
6.5
0.1973
7.5
0.3946
8.5
0.1973
7.5
0.1973
8.5
0.1973
8.5
0.1973
38 1.0119 39 1.0215 40 1.0340 41 1.0496 42 1.0689
44 1.1197 45 1.1850 46 1.2726 47 1.3607 48 1.4718
2.5
0.1189
3.5
1.5457
4.5
2.8536
5.5
1.7835
6.5
0.5945
7.5
0.1189
2.5
0.3567
3.5
9.0364
4.5
12.4845
5.5
8.0852
6.5
3.567
7.5
0.5945
3.5
5.2316
4.5
12.3656
5.5
10.3443
6.5
5.2316
7.5
1.3079
8.5
0.1189
3.5
0.5945
4.5
6.0639
5.5
8.2041
6.5
4.5182
7.5
1.4268
8.5
0.1189
4.5
1.9024
5.5
5.1127
6.5
3.4481
7.5
1.0701
8.5
0.1189
4.5
0.2378

SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
YEAR
PRIN
STOP
400 PMOS 2.75 5.5

2.0213
400 PMOS 2.75 6.5
2.378
400 PMOS 2.75 7.5
0.8323
400 PMOS 2.75 8.5
0.1189
400 PMOS 3.25 5.5
0.5945
400 PMOS 3.25 6.5
1.3079
400 PMOS 3.25 7.5
0.5945
400 PMOS 3.25 8.5
0.1189
400 PMOS 3.75 5.5
0.1189
400 PMOS 3.75 6.5
0.4756
400 PMOS 3.75 7.5
0.3567
400 PMOS 3.75 8.5
0.1189
400 PMOS 4.25 6.5
0.1189
400 PMOS 4.25 7.5
0.2378
400 PMOS 4.25 8.5
0.1189
400 PMOS 4.75 7.5
0.1189
400 PMOS 4.75 8.5
0.1189
400 PMOS 5.25 8.5
0.1189
50.0
XCHE DETA USAG SUMM SCFE
4.4.4. Stress History Analysis

This type of analysis requires two sets of data:
Wave occurrence data in the form of number of occurrences per year (DETM). This data may either explicitly
reference waves that have been analyzed; that is, referred to in the WAVE data, or may consist of wave height
occurrences, in which case interpolation is carried out to obtain member forces for wave heights that have
not been analyzed. This second approach permits a limited number of waves to be structurally analyzed
whilst providing a much more detailed fatigue definition.
Table 4.2: Stress History Commands
Command
Description
Usage
ANALYSIS
STRESS
HISTORY
Selects stress history analysis method
JOINT
WAVE
CHORD
DESIGN
GAP
GAPDEFAULT
INSET
SECONDARY
TYPE
INSPECTION
LIMITS
PARAMETER
REDUCTION
Note
1
2
65

Command
Description
Usage
Note
SCF TUB
DEFAULT
Default SCF value
SCF RHS
DEFAULT
Default SCF value
SCF WF
DEFAULT
Default SCF value
SCF BOX
DEFAULT
Default SCF value
SCF AUTO
DEFAULT
SCF AUTO
JOINT
SCFANGLE
SCFBRACE
SCFJOINT
SCFMINIMUM
Minimum SCF values
SCFPOINT

braces
THICKNESS
ALLOWABLE
Allowable stress
CURVE
DETE
S-N
YEAR
Target fatigue life
PRINT
Report options
STOP
6
7
Usage
C
Notes
5. S-N data does not have to be supplied if a stress histogram report has been requested using the PRINT
command.
66

6. Stress histogram information is only required if requested using the PRINT command.
4.4.4.1. Stress History Analysis Example

Explicit wave information defined
Automatic generation of influence functions
Secondary elements
Utilizes built in S-N curve with thickness correction
Analyses wave occurrence definition
Example 4.3: Example of Stress History Analysis Data File
PROJECT FATI
JOB POST
FILES JACF
OPTIONS NODL NOBL PRNO DATA GOON INFL
UNITS KN M
END
ANALYSIS STRESS HISTORY
SCF TUBE DEFAULT 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
SCF AUTOMATIC DEFAULT GENERAL EFTHYMIOU
SCF AUTOMATIC JOINT
: 1110 2210 1120 1210 1520 2130 1420 1130 1540 1140 1150 1440
: 1310 1350 2330 1330 2520 2540 2110 2120 3130 3210 2420 2140 2150 2440 3250
: 2310 2350 3350 3310 3420 3440 3110 3120 4130 3520 4210 3540 3140 3150 4250
: 3330 4330 4110 4150 4310 4350 2250 1250
WAVE 1 1.0 5.0 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 2 2.0 6.2 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 3 3.0 7.1 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 4 4.0 7.7 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 5 5.0 8.2 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 6 6.0 8.7 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 7 7.0 9.1 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 8 8.0 9.5 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 9 9.0 9.8 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 10 10.0 10.2 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 11 11.0 10.6 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 12 12.0 11.0 0.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 13 1.0 5.0 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 14 2.0 6.2 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 15 3.0 7.1 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 16 4.0 7.7 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 17 5.0 8.2 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 18 6.0 8.7 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 19 7.0 9.1 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 20 8.0 9.5 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 21 9.0 9.8 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 22 10.0 10.2 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 23 11.0 10.6 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 24 12.0 11.0 90.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 25 1.0 5.0 45.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 26 2.0 6.2 45.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 27 3.0 7.1 45.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 28 4.0 7.7 45.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 29 5.0 8.2 45.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 30 6.0 8.7 45.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 31 7.0 9.1 45.0 NPOS 6
67

WAVE 32 8.0 9.5 45.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 33 9.0 9.8 45.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 34 10.0 10.2 45.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 35 11.0 10.6 45.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 36 12.0 11.0 45.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 37 1.0 5.0 135.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 38 2.0 6.2 135.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 39 3.0 7.1 135.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 40 4.0 7.7 135.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 41 5.0 8.2 135.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 42 6.0 8.7 135.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 43 7.0 9.1 135.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 44 8.0 9.5 135.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 45 9.0 9.8 135.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 46 10.0 10.2 135.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 47 11.0 10.6 135.0 NPOS 6
WAVE 48 12.0 11.0 135.0 NPOS 6
JOINT 1110 2210 1120 1210 1520 2130 1420 1130 1540 1140 1150 1440 1250 2250
: 1310 1350 2330 1330 2520 2540 2110 2120 3130 3210 2420 2140 2150 2440 3250
: 2310 2350 3350 3310 3420 3440 3110 3120 4130 3520 4210 3540 3140 3150 4250
: 3330 4330 4110 4150 4310 4350
SECONDARY ELEMENTS 1505 1506 1509 504 1510 503 514
: 513 524 523 1401 825 1201 1203 827
: 1402 1204 1501 1202 1502 1503 1504
S-N DET ELEM ALL
THICKNESS.CORRECTION
DETERMINISTIC.DATA 1 699458
68

YEAR 50.0
PRIN XCHE DETA USAG SUMM SCFE
STOP
4.4.5. Time History Analysis

This type of analysis requires three sets of data:
Occurrence data of the time histories defined in the HIST data in the form of occurrences per year (DETE).
Rainflow counting data (CYCLE)
Table 4.3: Time History Commands
Command
Description
Usage
ANALYSIS
TIME
HISTORY
Selects time history analysis method
JOINT
HIST
Specifies time history information from analysis
CHORD
DESIGN
GAP
GAPDEFAULT
INSET
SECONDARY
TYPE
INSPECTION
LIMITS
PARAMETER
REDUCTION
SCF TUB
DEFAULT
Default SCF value
SCF RHS
DEFAULT
Default SCF value
SCF WF
DEFAULT
Default SCF value
SCF BOX
DEFAULT
Default SCF value
SCF AUTO
DEFAULT
SCF AUTO
JOINT
Note
69

Command
Description
Usage
SCFANGLE
SCFBRACE
SCFJOINT
SCFMINIMUM
Minimum SCF values
SCFPOINT

braces
THICKNESS
CURVE
CYCLE
Rainflow counting data
DETE
S-N
YEAR
Target fatigue life
PRINT
Report options
STOP
Note
4
C
Usage
C
Notes
4.4.5.1. Time History Analysis Example

New structure defined
Time history results retrieved from multiple structures
Time history occurrence specified with probabilities
Stress range intervals for cycle counting computed automatically
Example 4.4: Example of Time History Analysis Data File
JOB POST
PROJECT T206
STRUCTURE A206
NEWSTRUCTURE N206
70
ACCE
OPTIONS GOON END
UNITS KN M
END
ANALYSIS TIME HISTORY
HIST
1
A206
80
880
HIST
2
B206
80
880
HIST
3
C206
80
880
HIST
11
D206
80
880
HIST
12
E206
80
880
HIST
13
F206
80
880
HIST
21
G206
80
880
HIST
22
H206
80
880
HIST
23
I206
80
880
JOIN
2 5 7
INSP
8 ELEM ALL
SCF TUBE DEFA 3.0
SCF AUTO DEFA K K K K W K K K W
SCF AUTO DEFA KT K K K W K K K W
SCF AUTO JOIN 2 5 7
CURV USER SINGLE 35.0E3 1.0E7 3.0
S-N USER ELEM ALL
GAPD WORD 0.05
GAPD KUAN 0.05
YEAR 30.0
DETE
21
PROB
200
DETE
22
PROB
100.0
DETE
23
PROB
100
DETE
11
PROB
200
DETE
12
PROB
60.0
DETE
13
PROB
40.0
DETE
1
PROB
50
DETE
2
PROB
30.0
DETE
3
PROB
20.0
CYCLE 20
PRINT FULL DETAILED SCFP SCFE USAGE XCHE
STOP
4.5. ACCE
The ACCE command defines the value for gravitational acceleration required for spectral fatigue analysis.
Parameters
ACCE
Keyword
gravity
Gravitational acceleration (Real).
Notes
1. This command is optional for a SPECTRAL analysis. If not defined the program will adopt a value of 9.81
metres/sec2 (converted into the appropriate analysis units). If required the default value may be overwritten
using the ACCE command.
2. If used, the command should be defined only once.
Examples
71

ACCE
32.2
4.6. ALLOWABLE
The ALLOWABLE command is used to request that the computed stress value from a Stress History
Analysis is compared with a target (limit) value when PRINT PEAK or PRINT RNGE is also requested. If
the command is used FATJACK will report a utilization factor rather than a direct stress.
Parameters
ALLOWABLE: Keyword.
value: Allowable stress to the actual stress (PEAK or RNGE) is compared. (Real).
Notes
1. This command is optional for a STRESS HISTORY analysis.
4.7. ANSYS
The ANSYS command defines the name of the Mechanical APDL job(s) from which the analysis results
will be obtained.
The ANSYS command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the
FATJACK data set.
Parameters
ANSYS
Keyword
FNAME
Keyword to denote that the job names are specified in a job name list file (Optional).
Jobname
without FNAME job name of the Mechanical APDL model to be processed. This is the name associated
with the .RST file generated by Mechanical APDL (Alphanumeric, up to 32 characters).
with FNAME name of file containing paths and names of Mechanical APDL jobs to be included in the
analysis together.
youngs
Young's Modulus (Optional, Real).
72
CHORD
density
Material density (Optional, Real).
Usage
The command is mandatory if FATJACK is to be performed following a Mechanical APDL analysis and
must be omitted otherwise.
Notes
1. FATJACK will only process certain Mechanical APDL beam element types in a Mechanical APDL model.
Valid element names are:
BEAM44, BEAM188, BEAM189, PIPE16, PIPE59, PIPE288, PIPE289
Examples
1. The Mechanical APDL analysis is a single job called ANSYSJOB. All the load cases in this job will be analyzed
in FATJACK.
ANSYS ANSYSJOB
2. The Mechanical APDL analysis information is contained in a job name file called Ansysfile.txt, which
references three Mechanical APDL jobs called Ansysjob1, Ansysjob2 and Ansysjob3 located in different
directories.
ANSYS FNAME Ansysfile.txt
The contents of file Ansysfile.txt are:

C:\AnsysAnalysis\Job1\Ansysjob1
4.8. CHORD
The CHORD command allows specific elements to be defined as chord members at a particular joint.
Optional chord lengths and end fixity may also be defined if required.
Parameters
CHORD
Keyword
joint
Joint number at which the chord is being defined (Integer).
73

member
User element number defining a segment of the chord associated with the specified joint. If computed
chord lengths are required then all the members defining the chord must be supplied (Integer).
LENGTH
Keyword to indicate that the chord length is to follow.
length
Length of the chord to be used in SCF computations. (Real).
FIXITY
Keyword to indicate that the chord end fixity parameter is to follow.
para
Chord end fixity parameter used in the computation of SCF values using Efthymiou equations. (Real).
Usage
This command is compulsory if joints modelled with two or three nodes points are required.
Notes
1. For joints modelled with a single node, this command is optional and the criteria for selecting chord elements
are described below. In cases where the chord member is segmented, however, it is suggested that a chord
command is supplied in order that the correct chord length is utilized in any automated SCF computations.
i.
Select all tubes at the current node with largest diameter.
ii. From those selected in (i), select all tubes with largest thickness.
iii. If the list selected in (ii), contains only one element then this becomes the chord.
iv. If the list selected in (ii), contains more than one element then the list is checked for a pair of co-linear
elements forming a through member. If only one pair is found then these elements for the chord.
v. If no unique chord element(s) can be found then automatic SCF calculation is not possible. In these
circumstances, the chord element(s) must be defined manually.
vi. The chord length is computed as 2/3 of the combined lengths of the chosen chords. The chord end
fixity parameter is set to 0.7.
2. If K or KT joints are to be modelled with more than one node, a chord command must be supplied to
provide the connectivity information between the nodes at the joint. For KT joints modelled with three
nodes, the joint number must be the central node and the chord elements must connect the three braces
together (See the TYPE command).
3. If not defined, the chord length is computed as 2/3 of the combined lengths of the selected chord elements.
4. If not defined, the chord end fixity parameter is set to 0.7.
A value of 0.5 represents fixed end conditions.
A value of 1.0 represents pin end conditions.
Examples
74
CURVE
CHOR
CHOR
CHOR
CHOR
2000
10
105
20
2010
110
1150
120
2020
120
1250
LENG
2030
LENG
FIX
18.5
2040
20.0
0.8
FIX
0.7
4.9. COMPONENT
The COMPONENT command is used to define the component to be processed from a substructure
analysis.
The COMP command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the FATJACK
data set.
Parameters
COMPONENT
Keyword
sname
Structure name identifying which existing structure is to be accessed from the current project, see the
PROJ command (Alphanumeric, 4 characters, the first character must be alphabetic).
tree
This is the path down the component tree from the given structure in sname to the component which is
being used for the FATJACK processing.
Usage
Valid only, and compulsory, for recovered components.
Notes
1. If the user is processing the global structure run in a substructure analysis, use only the STRU command.
Examples
To process the second level component CMP2, part of assembled component CMP1, which in turn is
part of structure STRU:
COMP STRU CMP1 CMP2
4.10. CURVE
The CURVE command defines the relationship between stress range and number of cycles to failure
used in computing the damage contribution of the applied wave loading.
Standard curves available within FATJACK do not need to be defined unless non-standard base
thicknesses are required for thickness correction.
75
4.10.1. CURVE Command (User defined S-N curves)
Parameters
CURVE
Keyword
name
Alphanumeric identifier to be associated with this curve (up to 4 characters).
SINGLE
Keyword to denote a single slope curve is being defined.
MULTI
Keyword to denote a multi-linear curve is being defined.
LIMIT
Keyword to denote a single slope curve with a cut-off stress is being defined.
stress, cycle
Point lying on a given section of the S-N curve. For multi-linear curves the point must correspond to the
intersect within the adjacent section. For limiting curves the point must correspond to the cut-off position
(Real).
slope
Slope of a given section of the S-N curve (Real).
THICK
Keyword to indicate that a base thickness is to be provided.
base
Base thickness to be used if thickness correction requested (Real).
Notes
1. The requirement for the ordinates of user defined multi-linear S-N curves to be at the intersection of adjacent
sections is that two pairs of ordinates will be the same, but with differing slopes. This can be seen in the
internal representations of DET and DEF2 design curves (which are both bi-linear).
2. The base thickness is used when thickness correction of the S-N curve is requested (using the THICKNESS
command). For user defined curves a base thickness must be provided if the correction is to be applied.
Examples
CURV
CURV
:
76
DOC
DSC
LIMIT
MULTI
32.0
73.0
73.0
2.0D8
1.0D7
1.0D7
3.56
3.56
4.56
CURVE
4.10.2. CURVE Command (Base thickness definition for standard curves)
Parameters
CURVE
Keyword
curve
Predefined S-N curve name. Only required when base thickness is to be modified from the default value.
The following curves are currently available:
DET, DEF2
Department of Energy T and F2 curves
APX, APXD
API RP2A X and X curves
DOT
Danish Offshore Regulations DS412 tubular

curve
THICK
Keyword to indicate that a base thickness is to be provided.
base
Base thickness to be used if thickness correction requested (Real).
Note
1. The built in design curves equate to the following S-N definitions.
Curve
TYPE
Stress
Cycle
Slope
Default Base Thickness
52.63404
1.0D7
3.0
32mm
52.63404
1.0D7
5.0
35.05366
1.0D7
3.0
35.05366
1.0D7
5.0
(N/mm )
DET
DEF2
MULTI
MULTI
22mm
APX
LIMIT
34.94451
2.0D8
4.38
25mm
APXD
LIMIT
23.06045
2.0D8
3.74
16mm
DOT
LIMIT
33.81812
2.0D8
4.1
N/A (see note 2)
Although the above curves are given in N and mm, any user entries are in data input units.
2. The base thickness is used when thickness correction of the S-N curve is requested (using the THICKNESS
command). For the predefined curves (with the exception of the DOT curve) a default base thickness is
adopted unless otherwise overridden by the user. For the DOT curve, no default base thickness is available
and a user defined value must be provided if thickness correction is required.
Example
77

CURV
DET
THICK
30.0
4.11. CYCLE
The CYCLE command defines the number and sizes of the stress range intervals for rainflow counting.
Parameters
CYCLE
Keyword
nint
Number of intervals to sample stress range (Integer, >0).
sigmax
Peak stress range required. If zero or not specified, the peak is determined automatically from the stress
time history (Real, >=0.0).
sig1
Stress range limit for the first interval (Real, >=0.0).
Usage
Mandatory for time history analysis.
Notes
1. If sigmax and sig1 are both specified, sigmax must be larger than sig1.
2. If sig1 is not specified, the nint intervals will be set equally between zero and sigmax or the program determined peak value if this is not defined.
3. If sig1 is specified, the first stress range interval will be taken as between zero and sig1. The rest (nint-1)
intervals will be set equally between sig1 and sigmax or the program determined peak value if this is not
defined.
Examples
CYCLE 50
CYCLE 50 10.0E6 1.0E6
If you had a number of stress ranges counted, say: 1.1, 1.9, 3.1, 4.4, 9
If you use CYCLE 3 10.5, then you would get counting results with the following:
0 3.5
:3
3.5 - 7.0
:1
7.0 - 10.5
:1
If you use CYCLE 3 then you would get counting results with the following:
78
DESIGN
03
:2
3-6
:2
6-9
:1
If you use CYCLE 3 10 2, then you would get counting results with the following:
02
:2
2-6
:2
6 - 10
:1
4.12. DESIGN
The DESI command enables geometric properties from the structural analysis to be overridden to account
for design requirements. The design properties are used for computing member stresses and SCF values.
In the absence of any design data the geometric information from the analysis will be adopted.
Parameters
DESIGN
Keyword
type
Section type (Alphanumeric). Valid profiles are:
TUB
Tube
WF
Doubly symmetric Rolled I-section (for example, UB, UC, Joist,WFC, WF)
RHS
Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS)
BOX
Fabricated Box Section
values
Values defining the section dimensions appropriate to the section type. See Section Profile Information (p. 125) for details (Real).
STEP
Keyword to indicate the step number is to follow.
istep
Step number for non-prismatic elements. Values should either be 1 or the last step number for the element.
Alternatively the keywords END1 or END2 may replace STEP istep.
79

ELEMENT
Keyword to denote selection by element numbers.
GROUP
Keyword to denote selection by element group numbers.
PROPERTY
Keyword to denote selection by geometric property integer.
list
List of user element, group or geometric property numbers for which this data is to be assigned. The list
may include the keyword TO but not ALL.
Notes
1. Non-tubular sections must not be applied to TUBE elements.
2. If a step reference is given only that step for the elements specified within the element, group or property
list will be assigned the new section data.
3. See FATJACK Priority of Data Assignments (p. 53) for order of priority for ELEMENT/GROUP/PROPERTY
lists.
4. If insets are defined for the end of a brace, any design properties defined for the same end will be applied
at the inset position.
Examples
DESI
DESI
DESI
TUB
TUB
BOX
2.0
1.5
2.0
0.04
0.032
1.5
ELEM
END1
0.04
100 TO 110
ELEM
1010
0.032
4.13. DETE
The DETE command defines the wave occurrence data required for deterministic and stress history
analyses. Facilities exist to include additional wave definitions that were not included in the wave analysis. This command is also required in time history analysis to define the occurrence of each time history
case.
Parameters
DETE
Keyword
case
Wave case number to which this occurrence data relates (Integer).
ncycle
Number of cycles per year for this wave case (Integer).
80
DETE
HEIGHT
Keyword to denote that the occurrence data is to be given in terms of a reference height for a given direction.
height
Reference wave height (Real).
direction
Reference wave direction (Real, degrees).
DAF
Keyword to denote that the occurrence data is to be given as probability.
daf
Dynamic amplification factor.
PROB
Keyword to denote that the occurrence data is to be given as probability.
pval
Occurrence probability of the wave history case (Real, >+0.0).
Notes
1. For wave cases generated using the WAVE AUTO command, these are numbered sequentially from 1.
2. If the dynamic amplification factor keyword and value are not supplied, unity is assumed. The dynamic
amplification factor data is always ignored in the time history analyses.
3. The use of occurrence data relating to reference wave height provides a flexible means to develop the
occurrence data without use of wave case numbers and permitting additional wave height data to be
defined that were not previously analyzed.
For a given wave direction each height defined on a DETE command is related to the associated
analyzed wave cases for the same wave direction.
Stress values for the reference wave height are obtained by linear interpolation between adjacent
wave heights. Stresses for reference wave heights which are below the lower limit of the analyzed
wave cases will be obtained by factoring the limit value.
Stresses for reference wave heights which are above the upper limit of the analyzed wave cases will
be obtained by linear extrapolation of the last two cases. This is shown diagrammatically below.
81

Using this facility, all wave occurrence data may be defined by reference to the wave height, thus
obviating the need to refer to an analyzed wave case number.
4. The reference height option is not applicable to time history analyses.
5. Keyword PROB is only allowed in time history analyses. However if it is specified, then it must be used for
all DETE commands. The units in which the probability is input are immaterial providing that they are
consistent throughout. The program computes a true probability for each history by dividing each input
probability by the sum of all the probabilities.
Examples
DETE
DETE
1
2
150000
124500
DAF
1.05
DETE
DETE
HEIG
HEIG
150000
124500
3.5
6.0
0.0
0.0
DETE
DETE
1
2
PROB
PROB
DAF
1.10
1000.0
500.0
4.14. END
The END command is used to terminate a command data block.
The END command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the FATJACK
data set.
Parameters
END
Keyword
Usage
Compulsory to terminate all command data blocks.
4.15. FILES
The FILES command is used to define the prefix name for the backing files created in this run.
The FILES command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the FATJACK
data set.
Parameters
FILES
Keyword
82
FREQUENCY
fname
Prefix name for any backing files created by this run. (Alphanumeric, 4 characters, first character must be
alphabetic).
Usage
Optional, if omitted file name defaults to project name.
Notes
1. fname is used as a prefix for all files created during the current run. The four characters are appended with
two digits in the range 12 to 35 to create each individual file.
Examples
FILES BILL
4.16. FREQUENCY
The FREQUENCY command permits the definition of additional frequencies at which the stress transfer
function is to be evaluated in spectral analyses.
Parameters
FREQUENCY
Keyword
trans
Transfer function number to which these additional frequencies are to be added (Integer).
freq-list
List of frequency values. (Real, Hertz).
Notes
1. The frequencies defined MUST lie between the maximum and minimum frequencies associated with the
analyzed wave load cases forming the transfer function.
2. Stresses associated with the additional frequencies will be obtained by linear interpolation of stresses obtained from adjacent (by frequency) factored analyzed wave loadcases which form the transfer function.
3. The frequency values must be given in Hertz, this cannot be changed by the use of UNITS command(s).
Examples
FREQ
:
10
0.142
0.210
0.150
0.225
0.175
83
4.17. GAP
The GAP command allows specific gap information to be defined between pairs of braces forming K
and KT joints. For overlapping joints the through member is also defined.
Parameters
GAP
Keyword
joint
Joint number at which the gap is being defined (Integer).
brace
User element number specifying a brace forming part of a K or KT configuration about which the gap is
to be defined (Integer).
brace2
Second user element number corresponding to the second brace (Integer).
gap
User defined gap between braces brace and brace2. For overlapping gaps this dimension should be
negative (Real).
THRU
Keyword to indicate that through brace information is to follow for overlapping braces. Only permissible
if gap is negative.
braced
Brace element number representing the through member. Must be either brace or brace2 defined in this
command (Integer).
Notes
1. If GAP is not specified for a given K or KT joint, the gap adopts the value specified in the GAPDEFAULT
command. If the default gap dimension has not been defined the gap is computed based upon model
geometry. Where gap dimensions are computed these may be reset during the SCF computations to prevent
the use of gap values which would cause the SCF formulations becoming insoluble.
2. The Efthymiou SCF equations permit overlapping K and KT joints. This may be specified by defining a
negative gap value representing the length of the overlap. Under these circumstances, a through brace
must be defined since the equations differ for the through and overlapping member.
Examples
GAP
GAP
84
1100
1200
1100
1200
1110
1210
50.0
-35.0
THRU
1200
HIST
4.18. GAPDEFAULT
The GAPDEFAULT command is used to specify a default gap dimension to be used between pairs of
braces forming K and KT joints where specific gaps have not been defined.
Parameters
GAPDEFAULT
Keyword
equation
Equation type to which this default gap applies. Valid options are:
W
Wordsworth
K
Kuang
D
DS449
E
Efthymiou
gap
Default gap dimension (Real).
Notes
1. If GAPDEFAULT is not specified and a specific gap value is not defined for a given pair of braces forming
a K or KT joint, the gap dimension is computed based upon model geometry. Since joint geometry is often
simplified computed gaps may lead to erroneous values of generated stress concentration factors.
2. If gap dimensions are computed these may be reset during the SCF computations to prevent the use of
gap values which would cause the SCF formulations becoming insoluble.
Examples
GAPDEFAULT
WORDSWORTH
50.0
4.19. HIST
The HIST command defines details of the analysis time histories to be included in a time history fatigue
analysis.
85

Parameters
HIST
Keyword
case
Wave history case number (Integer, > 0).
stru
For ASAS name of structure from which data is going to be obtained, structure must be in the same
project as that specified in preliminary data. If omitted, defaults to structure name given in the preliminary STRUCTURE command (Alphanumeric, 4 characters), or
For ANSYS job identification name for the ANSYS job. If omitted, defaults to be first job referenced
(Alphanumeric, up to 8 characters).
start
First system loadcase (load step) to use from this analysis for rainflow counting. If omitted or 0, defaults
to 1 (Integer, >= 0).
end
Last loadcase (load step) to use from this analysis for rainflow counting. If omitted or 0, defaults to the last
loadcase analyzed. (Integer, >= 0).
interval
Interval between loadcases to use. If omitted or 0, defaults to 1. (Integer, >= 0).
Notes
1. If an optional value is specified, all preceding optional values must also be specified.
2. The ANSYS job identification name is formed by packing the structure name given in the preliminary
STRUCTURE command with the position of the job in the job name list file specified in the ANSYS command.
For example, ABCD18 means that the structure name is ABCD and the relevant job is the 18th one in the
list of jobs that appear in the job name list file.
Examples
HIST
HIST
HIST
1
2
3
aaaa
bbbb
1001
4.20. INSET
The INSET command defines the position along a brace at which the fatigue calculations are to be
computed. This is intended to account for moment back-off to the chord/brace interface.
Parameters
86
INSPECTION
INSET
Keyword
joint
Joint number at which the brace is connected (Integer).
brace
User element number to which the inset is to apply (Integer).
value
Inset value, positive values corresponding to moving along the brace away from the joint. The value should
not be greater than the element length (Real).
Notes
1. The value of the inset is added to any offsets modelled in the analysis for this brace.
2. The value of the bending moment used in the fatigue calculation is normally that occurring at the offset
end of the brace element connected to the joint. This value can sometimes be reduced by computing an
adjusted bending moment at the chord/brace interface; that is, at a distance of D/2 from the brace element
end, where D is the chord diameter.
3. The value of the bending moment will be computed by assuming that the member is subjected to a uniformly distributed load, the magnitude of which is calculated from a difference in the end shears.
4. Use of this command to generate results well away from the nodal positions may provide misleading fatigue
lives due to the loading assumptions described in Note 3 above.
5. If design properties are given for the end of a brace at which an inset is defined, the properties will apply
to the inset location.
Examples
INSET
1000
1101
0.8
4.21. INSPECTION
4.21.1. INSPECTION Command (Tubular sections)
4.21.2. INSPECTION Command (Non-tubular sections)
4.21.1. INSPECTION Command (Tubular sections)

This INSPECTION command defines the inspection points on tubular sections at which fatigue calculations
are to be undertaken. Inspection points can either be generated or defined explicitly.
Parameters
INSPECTION
Keyword
87

ninsp
Number of inspection points to be generated (Integer).
ELEMENT
Keyword to indicate that a brace element list is to follow.
list
List of user brace element numbers to be assigned the inspection points (Integer).
ANGLE
Keyword to indicate that explicit inspection angles are to be defined.
joint
Joint number at which the brace being defined is connected (Integer).
brace
User element number to be assigned the inspection points (Integer).
theta
List of angles, measured in degrees from the saddle location (see below) (Real).
Notes
1. This command is optional. If omitted, or for elements not specified on INSPECTION commands, a default
of four inspection points will be generated corresponding to angles of 0, 90, 180 and 270 from the primary
saddle location (see Note 5 below).
2. If the ELEMENT keyword and associated list is omitted then the inspection points defined will apply to all
elements (unless overridden by explicit definitions for specific elements).
3. If inspection points are generated then they will be equi-spaced with the first point at 0 degrees (primary
saddle) and subsequent points with angles increasing by 360/ninsp. Thus if ninsp is 8 then the following
angles will be generated:
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315
4. The ANGLE option allows any number of inspection points to be defined.
5. Generated and explicit angles are measured relative to a saddle location. The location of the saddle and
the relationship of other inspection points to this are shown below:
88
INSPECTION
For details of how the axis system is determined see Tubular Joint Inspection Points (p. 37).
Examples
INSP
INSPECTION
INSPECTION
8
12
ELEMENT
ANGLE
200
5 TO 10
2010
0.0
51.0
96.0
132.0
4.21.2. INSPECTION Command (Non-tubular sections)

This INSPECTION command defines the inspection points on non-tubular sections at which fatigue calculations are to be undertaken. Inspection points can either be generated or defined explicitly.
Parameters
INSPECTION
Keyword
SYMM
Keyword to indicate that 4 symmetric inspection points are to be defined.
POSN
Keyword to indicate that specific inspection points are to be defined.
y, z
Pair of ordinates defining a point on the beam section in local y and z directions (Real).
ELEMENT
Keyword to indicate that a brace element list is to follow.
list
List of user brace element numbers to be assigned the inspection points (Integer).
joint
Joint number at which the brace being defined is connected (Integer).
brace
User element number to be assigned the inspection points (Integer).
Notes
1. If sections have been utilized in the analysis the program will default to four inspection points as shown
in Section Profile Information (p. 125). The use of the INSPECTION command may be used to overwrite this
default.
2. The SYMM option generates 4 points as follows:
89
3. The POSN option allows any number of inspection points to be defined.

4. No checks are carried out to ensure that the inspection point ordinates lie within the section (if defined).
Examples
INSPECTION
INSPECTION
INSPECTION
SYMM
SYMM
POSN
0.4
425.0
200
0.3
250.0
2010
ELEMENT
0.5
0.3
5 TO 10
-0.5
0.3
4.22. JOB
The JOB command is used to define the type of analysis for the current run.
The JOB command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the FATJACK
data set.
Parameters
JOB
Keyword
POST
Keyword indicating post-processing of an analysis.
Usage
Compulsory.
Examples
JOB POST
4.23. JOINT
The JOINT command is used to select the joints at which the fatigue lives are to be computed. FATJACK
will generate a list of valid brace elements that are connected to the selected joints.
90
LIMIT
Parameters
JOINT
Keyword
nodelist
User list of node numbers which equate to the required joints. Keywords ALL and TO may be utilized if
required (Integer).
Usage
Compulsory.
Notes
1. This command is compulsory and may be repeated as often as required to define the problem.
2. Braces connected to the joint which are not required in the fatigue calculation may be ignored using the
SECONDARY command.
3. Joints of K and KT configurations which have been modelled using two or three nodes require a reference
node to define the joint. Only the reference node should be defined on the JOINT command. For further
details see Joint Selection (p. 35).
Examples
JOINT
JOINT
JOINT
ALL
56 TO 66
104 107 116
235
4.24. LIMIT
The SCF generators utilize parametric equations which have been derived for a limited range of values
for the parameters involved. The limiting values defined below are built into FATJACK, but these may
be overwritten, at the users discretion, using one or more LIMIT commands.
Parameters
LIMIT
Keyword
calc
Alphanumeric defining the equation type to which this limit applies. Permitted values are:
KUANG
WORDSWORTH
DS449
EFTHYMIOU
91

limval
Keyword indicating parameter for which default applicability limit is to be overwritten (Alphanumeric).
Permitted values are:
ALPHA
BETA
GAMMA
TAU
THETA
minval
Lower applicability limit for parameter limval (Real).
maxval
Upper applicability limit for parameter limval (Real).
Notes
1. Default applicability limits are as follows (using the standard parameter definitions):
2. For any joint for which one or more parameters lie outside the limit values the SCF values will be calculated
with the actual values of the parameters and then recalculated with the appropriate parameters reset to
the limit values. The highest SCF value thus obtained will be taken.
If influence functions are being employed, coefficients at both the actual parameter and limiting
value are computed and stored. The critical hot spot stress is then computed as the maximum utilizing either the actual or limiting parameter coefficients.
Examples
LIMIT
LIMIT
92
KUAN
ALPHA
10.0
35.0
WORDSWORTH
BETA
0.2
1.0
OPTIONS
4.25. NEWSTRUCTURE
The NEWSTRUCTURE command is used to define a new structure name to be associated with the results
created by the current run.
The NEWSTRUCTURE command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head
of the FATJACK data set.
Parameters
NEWSTRUCTURE
Keyword
nsname
Structure name to be associated with the results being created by the current run in order to identify these
results from others in the project. nsname must be unique for this project (Alphanumeric, 4 characters).
Usage
Optional.
Notes
1. If the NEWSTRUCTURE command is omitted then nsname defaults to the name ASNN. However, since the
structure name must be unique within a project, the default must not be assumed more than once if the
project contains a series of restarts.
2. A STRUCTURE command is normally required in conjunction with NEWSTRUCTURE to define the name
of the existing structure.
4.26. OPTIONS
The OPTIONS command is used to define the control options for this run.
The OPTIONS command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the
FATJACK data set.
Parameters
OPTIONS
Keyword
option
Four character option name, or list of option names. The following options are available:
INFL - Requests that SCF calculations employing the Efthymiou empirical formulations are to use the
load influence methodology (See Joint Selection (p. 35)).
93

NOTR - Do not write results to the User Results Storage Database.
REFL - If wave spreading has been requested (using the SPREAD command), this option will select wave
cases in the opposite quadrant to couple with the requested direction (that is, reflecting the wave by
1800).
SCFG - requests that a formatted SCF file is generated from any automatic SCF computations. No fatigue
life calculations will be undertaken. The SCFs will be written to filegs, where file is the 4 character file
name associated with this run (see FILES).
GOON - Proceed even after printed WARNINGS. This option allows the run to continue beyond the data
checks despite questionable data. It should only be used after a run in which the WARNINGS have been
noted and rejected as unimportant.
Usage
Optional.
Examples
OPTIONS
INFL
4.27. PARAMETER
Program calculated values of most parameters for specific braces at a previously defined joint may be
overwritten using the PARAMETER command. This enables the user to calculate SCF values using
geometry.
Parameters
PARAMETER
Keyword
joint
Joint number to which the brace is connected (Integer).
param
Keyword indicating the parameter for which the calculated value is to be overwritten for SCF calculation.
Permitted values:
ALPHA
BETA
GAMMA
TAU
THETA
94
PRINT
pval
Value of parameter param to be used in SCF calculation (Real).
brace
Brace number for which parameter param is to be updated. This element must be connected to the previously defined joint (Integer).
Examples
PARAMETER
1100
BETA
0.6
110010
4.28. PRINT
The PRINT command is used to select the type of results to be reported and the format of the report.
If omitted the default report is provided.
Parameters
PRINT
Keyword
report-item
Keyword identifying what information is to be reported. Valid names are:
XCHECK
Requests printing of cross checking information of input data.
SCFE
Requests a separate table of SCF information.
BRIEF
Brief fatigue report consisting of one line per joint/brace pair.
DETAILED
Standard fatigue report. Results are grouped by joint and provides lives at the worst inspection point
for a given brace.
FULL
Expands the BRIEF or DETAILED reports to include results for all inspection points.
SCFP
Adds SCF information to the BRIEF or DETAILED reports.
USAGE
Adds usage factor information to the BRIEF or DETAILED reports.
SUMMARY
Creates a summary report of braces which fail the fatigue target life.
DAMW
Requests damage per wave or sea-state. This is in addition to any other fatigue reports requested.
95

OCUR
Selects printing of stress ranges versus occurrences for spectral and time history analysis.
OCRT
As OCUR but produces results from for each transfer function for spectral analysis.
OCRW
As OCRT but produces results for each wave spectrum for spectral analysis.
PEAK
Requests that the stress peak value (+ve or -ve) is reported in a stress history analysis.
RNGE
Requests that the stress range is reported in a stress history analysis.
Notes
1. BRIEF and DETAILED options cannot be requested together.
2. FULL, SCFP and USAGE must be used in combination with BRIEF or DETAILED.
3. For spectral analyses with OCUR/OCRT/OCRW a SIGM command must be provided to define the sampling
points for the table. All other options (except XCHE and SCFE) are ignored.
4. PEAK/RNGE are only valid for stress history analyses and are mutually exclusive.
5. DAMW and OCRT/OCRW may produce large amounts of information and should be used only for selective
fatigue runs.
6. PRINT commands are cumulative so required reports may be requested individually or on one or more
lines.
Examples
PRINT
PRINT
BRIEF
XCHECK
FULL
SCFP
SUMMARY
DETAILED
DAMW
4.29. PROJECT
The PROJECT command is used to define the project name for the current run.
The PROJECT command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the
FATJACK data set.
Parameters
PROJECT
Keyword
pname
Project name for current run (Alphanumeric, 4 characters, first character must be alphabetic).
96
RESU
Usage
Optional, if omitted project name defaults to ASAS.
Notes
1. All runs with the same project name access the same database. A project database consists of one project
file (with a file name consisting of the 4 characters of pname with the number 10 appended), which acts
as an index to other files created under this project, together with those other files.
Examples
PROJECT HIJK
4.30. REDUCTION
The REDUCTION command requests the use of the Marshall Reduction factor for brace side SCF values
computed using the Kuang equations.
Parameters
REDUCTION
Keyword
factor
Optional factor to be applied (Real).
Usage
Optional, and may be defined only once.
Notes
1. If this command is omitted completely no brace side reduction will take place.
2. If the factor is omitted, a default value of 0.63 will be utilized (as suggested by API).
3. The resulting brace side SCF values will be given by:
SCFbrace = factor * SCFchord
Examples
REDUCTION
REDU
0.7
4.31. RESU
The RESU command is used to specify saving of results to the results database.
97
The RESU command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the FATJACK
data set.
Parameters
RESU: Keyword.
Notes
1. For the results database to be used in any post-processing run with the ASAS solvers a RESU command
must be included in the initial ASAS run to initialize the database.
Examples
RESU
4.32. SCF Definition

Stress concentration factors (SCFs) relate hot spot stresses to the nominal stresses in a member computed
from the axial forces and in-plane and out-of-plane bending moments. FATJACK provides facilities for
both defining explicit SCF values and for automatically generating the SCF values using one or more
established empirical formulations.
Explicit and generated SCF values may be mixed as necessary to achieve the desired result.
A summary of available commands is shown below with detailed descriptions given in the following
sections.
Note that if influence functions are used to compute the hot spot stresses for braces at a given joint,
it is not currently possible to override the computed influence terms with conventional SCFs. Any user
specified values will be ignored.
Table 4.4: Commands available for explicit SCF specification
Command
Description
SCF TUB DEFAULT
Specifies default SCF values for a given section type
SCF WF DEFAULT
SCF RHS DEFAULT
SCF BOX DEFAULT
SCFJOINT
Specifies crown and saddle SCF values at specified joints for tubular braces
SCFANGLE
Specifies SCF values at specific angular inspection points for tubular braces
SCFBRACE
Specifies SCF values at all inspection points for non-tubular braces
98
SCF Definition
Command
Description
SCFPOINT
Specifies SCF values at specific inspection points for non-tubular braces
Table 4.5: Commands available for automatic SCF specification

Command
Description
SCF AUTO
DEFAULT
Specifies default empirical equation(s) to be utilized for the SCF generation
SCF AUTO JOINT
Specifies joints at which automatic computation of SCF values to be undertaken
SCFMINIMUM
Specifies minimum values for the SCF components calculated in automatic

generation
LIMIT
Permits user defined applicability limits for the parameters utilized in automatic
SCF generation
PARAMETER
Permits explicit definition of the parameters utilized in automatic SCF generation

for specific braces
4.32.1. SCFANGLE Command

The SCFANGLE command defines stress concentration factors to be applied at specific inspection points
around a tubular brace. This is useful where a detailed joint analysis has been undertaken and explicit
SCF values are known.
Parameters
SCFANGLE
Keyword
joint
brace
Brace user element number for which the SCF values are to be specified (Integer).
angle
Angle (in degrees) from inspection point 1 (Real).
bscfa
Brace side SCF for axial force (Real).
bscfip
Brace side SCF for in-plane bending (Real).
bscfop
Brace side SCF for out-of-plane bending (Real).
cscfa
Chord side SCF for axial force (Real).
99

cscfip
Chord side SCF for in-plane bending (Real).
cscfop
Chord side SCF for out-of-plane bending (Real).
Notes
1. If only bscfa is specified, this value will be adopted for all six SCF values.
2. If SCFANGLE is used for a brace, results will only be computed at those inspection points explicitly defined
by the angles provided in the SCFANGLE commands. Any INSPECTION commands referring to this brace
end will be ignored. This implies that the SCF values at ALL inspection points need to be provided. Where
crown and saddle SCF values are known, use should be made of the SCFJOINT command.
3. For any given brace, SCFANGLE and SCFJOINT are mutually exclusive and cannot be used together in the
same run of FATJACK.
Examples
SCFA 1100 110010
SCFANGLE 85 1185
45.0
90.0
3.5
4.5
5.0
5.0
3.5
5.0
5.0
4.32.2. SCF AUTO DEFAULT Command

The SCF AUTO DEFAULT command defines the default generic empirical formulations to be used when
calculating the SCFs to be applied. The equations may be specified for given locations and stress components thus permitting the use of the most appropriate formulation. Joints at which automatic SCF
computations are to be undertaken should be specified using the SCF AUTO JOINT command.
Parameters
SCF
Keyword
AUTO
Keyword
DEFAULT
Keyword
GENERAL
Keyword to denote that the equation matrix is applied to all joint types (unless overwritten).
type
Joint type to which this default matrix is to be applied (Alphanumeric). Valid joint types are:
T
Y
100
SCF Definition
K
X
KT
matrix
Defines the empirical formulations to be adopted for the following stress components and locations:
Brace side axial crown
Brace side axial saddle
Brace side in-plane bending
Brace side out-of-plane bending
Chord side axial crown
Chord side axial saddle
Chord side in-plane bending
Chord out-of-plane bending
The matrix consists of a series of characters representing the equation type to be used for each of
the stress components and locations above. Valid options are:
W
Wordsworth
K
Kuang
D
DS449
E
Efthymiou
Notes
1. Specific joint type definitions override those given by GENERAL commands.
2. If only one value is provided then this will be used for all stress components and locations. Either one or
eight equation identifiers must be defined.
3. If influence functions are employed then only Efthymiou equations may be requested. Other equation
types will produce an error.
Examples
SCF
SCF
AUTO
AUTO
DEFA
GENE
DEFAULT KT
K
E
101
4.32.3. SCF AUTO JOINT Command

The SCF AUTO JOINT command is used to request the joints at which automatic computation of SCF
values is to be undertaken. The equations to be used may be specified if they differ from those given
in the default definitions.
Parameters
SCF
Keyword
AUTO
Keyword
JOINT
Keyword
matrix
Defines the empirical formulations to be adopted for the following stress components and locations for
the braces connected to the specified jointlist:
Brace side in-plane bending
Brace side out-of-plane bending
Chord side in-plane bending
Chord out-of-plane bending
The matrix consists of a series of characters representing the equation type to be used for each of
the stress components and locations above. Valid options are:
W
Wordsworth
K
Kuang
D
DS449
E
Efthymiou
102
SCF Definition
jointlist
List of joints at which automatic SCF generation is to be undertaken. Keywords ALL and TO may be generate lists of joints (Integer).
Notes
1. If the matrix is omitted the default matrices for the brace configurations occurring at the specified joint
will be adopted.
2. If the matrix is specified it will be used for all braces connected to the specified joints irrespective of the
brace configurations.
3. If only one value is provided for the matrix then this will be used for all stress components and locations.
If any locations are different then all eight equation identifiers must be defined.
4. If influence functions are employed then only Efthymiou equations may be requested. Other equation
types will produce an error.
Examples
SCF
AUTO
JOINT
SCFANGLE 85 1185
SCF
AUTO
JOIN
SCF
AUTO
JOIN
ALL
90.0 4.5
E
10
TO
K
K
W
25
W
100
200 300
4.32.4. SCFBRACE Command

The SCFBRACE command defines stress concentration factors to be applied at all inspection points for
non-tubular braces.
Parameters
SCFBRACE
Keyword
joint
brace
bscfa
bscfip
bscfop
103

cscfa
cscfip
cscfop
Notes
2. SCF values defined will be applied at each of the inspection points defined using the INSPECTION command.
If different values are required at each inspection point the SCFPOINT command should be used.
Examples
SCFB
SCFB
100
200
1010
20200
3.5
4.0
4.5
4.5
4.0
4.5
4.5
4.32.5. SCF DEFAULT Command

The SCF DEFAULT command defines the default stress concentration factors to be applied to elements
of a given section type.
Parameters
SCF
Keyword
TUB, WF, RHS, BOX
Alphanumeric keyword defining type of section to which the default is to be applied.
DEFAULT
Keyword
bscfa
Default brace side SCF for axial force (Real).
bscfip
Default brace side SCF for in-plane bending (Real).
bscfop
Default brace side SCF for out-of-plane bending (Real).
cscfa
Default chord side SCF for axial force (Real).
104
SCF Definition
cscfip
Default chord side SCF for in-plane bending (Real).
cscfop
Default chord side SCF for out-of-plane bending (Real).
Notes
1. This command is compulsory and must be defined only once for each section type that is to be processed.
The SCF value(s) specified will be adopted for any braces at joints which have not had specific SCF values
defined, or where automatic SCF calculation has not been requested.
2. If only bscfa is specified then this value will be adopted for all six SCF values.
Examples
SCF
SCF
TUB
TUB
DEFAULT
DEFA
3.5
3.0
3.5
3.5
3.0
3.5
3.5
4.32.6. SCFJOINT Command

The SCFJOINT command is used to specify user defined crown and saddle SCF values for tubular braces
at specified joints. Selected locations may optionally adopt values computed from empirical SCF formulations.
Parameters
SCFJOINT
Keyword
joint
brace
CHORD
Keyword to denote chord side SCF values are to be defined.
BRACE
Keyword to denote brace side SCF values are to be defined.
AUTO
Keyword to request that a computed value using the empirical formulations selected on an SCF AUTO
DEFAULT or SCF AUTO JOINT command is to be adopted.
axc
SCF for axial load, crown position (Real).
axs
SCF for axial load, saddle position (Real).
105

ipc
SCF for in-plane bending, crown position (Real).
ips
SCF for in-plane bending, saddle position (Real).
opc
SCF for out-of-plane bending, crown position (Real).
ops
SCF for out-of-plane bending, saddle position (Real).
Notes
1. If the AUTO keyword is used for any locations then a complementary SCF AUTO DEFAULT or SCF AUTO
JOINT command should be provided to define the method which is to be utilized for generating the undefined values. This is also true if the chord or brace side definitions are completely omitted.
2. The ips and opc terms are strictly not required since the associated bending stress terms at these locations
are zero. They are used, however, if inspection points are selected at positions between the saddle and
crown locations. It is recommended, therefore, that the values are set the same for the crown and saddle
locations; that is ips set to ipc and opc set to ops. See SCF Interpolation (p. 41) for details about the interpolation of SCF values at intermediate locations.
3. For the SCF values to be correctly applied a chord must be identified for the joint concerned. This can either
be computed by the program, or may be specified using the CHORD command.
Examples
SCFJ
SCFJ
100
100
1010
1010
CHORD
BRACE
3.5
AUTO
3.0
AUTO
4.0
4.2
4.0
4.2
3.8
4.15
3.8
4.15
4.32.7. SCFMINIMUM Command

The SCFMINIMUM command may be used to specify minimum values for the SCF components calculated
in the automatic SCF generation.
Parameters
SCFMINIMUM
Keyword
scfnam
Optional alphanumeric name indicating the SCF component for which the minimum SCF value is to be
specified. Permitted names are:
BAXS
BAXC
106
SCF Definition
BIPC
Brace side in-plane bending crown
BOPS
Brace side out-of-plane bending saddle
CAXS
CAXC
CIPC
Chord side in-plane bending crown
COPS
Chord side out-of-plane bending saddle
scfmin
Minimum SCF (Real).
Notes
1. If scfmin is omitted then the SCF value defined will be adopted as a minimum for all SCF components
defined above.
2. The value(s) defined will only be applied to the SCF computations if they are appropriate to the methodology
adopted.
Examples
SCFM
SCFM
COPS
2.0
2.5
4.32.8. SCFPOINT Command

The SCFPOINT command defines stress concentration factors to be applied at specific inspection points
on non-tubular sections.
Parameters
SCFPOINT
Keyword
joint
brace
107

y, z
Pair of ordinates defining a point on the beam section in local y and z directions (Real).
bscfa
bscfip
bscfop
cscfa
cscfip
cscfop
Notes
2. If SCFPOINT is used for a brace, results will only be computed at those inspection points explicitly defined
by the ordinates provided in the SCFPOINT commands. Any INSPECTION commands referring to this
brace end will be ignored. This implies that the SCF values at ALL inspection points need to be provided.
Where SCF values are constant around the section, use should be made of the SCFBRACE command.
3. For any given brace, SCFPOINT and SCFBRACE are mutually exclusive and cannot be used together in the
same run of FATJACK.
Examples
SCFP
1100 110010
SCFPOINT
85 1185
0.0
0.65
0.85
0.50
3.5
4.5
5.0
5.0
3.5
5.0
5.0
4.33. SECONDARY
The SECONDARY command is used to specify that certain elements are to be classified as secondary
members and omitted from the fatigue computations.
Parameters
SECONDARY
Keyword
ELEMENT
Keyword to denote selection by element number.
108
SIGM
GROUP
Keyword to denote selection by element group number.
PROPERTY
Keyword to denote selection by geometric property number.
list
List of user element, group or geometric property numbers to which this data is to be assigned (Integer).
The list may include the keyword TO but not ALL.
Notes
1. Elements defined as secondary will not have fatigue calculations undertaken. Their effect will also be ignored
in joint classification for the purposes of SCF calculations and will not be included in influence coefficient
calculations.
Examples
SECO
SECO
ELEM
GROUP
100 TO
999
110
4.34. SIGM
The SIGM command is required when stress range versus occurrence information has been requested
(using PRINT OCUR/OCRT/OCRW commands) and provides the additional information necessary to
generate the required table.
Parameters
SIGM
Keyword
peak
Peak stress range required (Real).
nint
Number of intervals to sample stress range (Integer).
Notes
1. This command is compulsory if PRINT OCUR/OCRT/OCRW has been requested.
2. Use of the PRINT OCUR/OCRT/OCRW commands requires that intervals of stress range are defined over
which the spectral information may be integrated to produce occurrence data for that range. The interval
of stress range is computed by dividing the peak value by the number of sampling intervals. The mid value
for each interval is then used as a reference value for that interval.
Examples
A data line of:
SIGM 1.0E6 5
109

will produce sampling points of:
1.0E5 3.0E5 5.0E5 7.0E5 9.0E5
Or graphically:
4.35. S-N
The S-N command assigns S-N curves (user or predefined) to brace elements to be analyzed.
Parameters
S-N
Keyword
name
Name of S-N curve to be assigned (Alphanumeric). This may either reference a standard S-N design curve
or a user defined curve (using the CURVE command).
END1, END2
Optional keywords to denote that the S-N curve is to be assigned to only one end of the element(s).
ELEMENT
Keyword to denote selection by element number.
GROUP
Keyword to denote selection by element group number.
list
List of elements or groups to which the S-N data is to be associated. (Integer.) Keywords ALL and TO may
be used to generate the list.
Notes
1. The following built in design curves are currently available:
110
SPECTRUM
DET, DEF2
Department of Energy T and F2 (in Air) curves
APX, APXD
API RP2A X and X curves
DOT
Danish Offshore Regulations DS412 tubular curve
2. If END1/END2 is omitted the curve is assigned to both ends of the brace element(s).
Examples
S-N APX ELEM 1000 TO 5000
4.36. SPECTRUM
The SPECTRUM command defines the wave spectrum probability information. The wave spectra are
assigned to a transfer function number which relates analyzed waves to a spectra by way of the
TRANSFER command. The sea state spectra may be supplied using predefined spectra or as user defined
ordinates on the wave energy spectrum diagram.
Parameters
SPECTRUM
Keyword.
itrans
Transfer function number (Integer).
SCTW
Keyword indicating Scott-Wiegel spectrum.
JONS
Keyword indicating JONSWAP spectrum (See Ref. 6).
PMOS
Keyword indicating Pierson-Moskowitz spectrum (See Ref. 5).
OCHI
Keyword indicating Ochi-Hubble spectrum (See Ref. 7).
UDEF
Keyword indicating user defined spectrum.
height
Significant wave height (Real).
period
Zero crossing period (Real).
111

prob
Probability (Real).
c1, c2
Constants used in defining Scott-Wiegel spectrum (Real).
hs1
Swell component significant wave height for Ochi-Hubble spectrum.
tp1
Swell component wave peak period for Ochi-Hubble spectrum.
peak1
Peakedness for swell component for Ochi-Hubble spectrum.
hs2
Wave component significant wave height for Ochi-Hubble spectrum.
tp2
Wave component wave peak period for Ochi-Hubble spectrum.
peak2
Peakedness for wave component for Ochi-Hubble spectrum.
strord
Stress direct spectral ordinate (input in the same order as the waves in the transfer function) (Real).
Notes
1. The units in which the probability is input (for example, occurrences per year, percentages, etc.) is immaterial providing it is consistent for all the spectral data defined. The program computes a true probability
for each sea-state by dividing each input probability by the sum of all the probabilities.
2. Only one of SCTW, JONS, PMOS, OCHI or UDEF may be used in any one transfer function.
3. The Ochi-Hubble wave spectrum is bimodall; that is, it includes a swell and wave component.
4. For user defined spectra the frequency abscissae are extracted from the wave data defined for the transfer
function. The order of the stress ordinate data should be in increasing frequency of the wave data assigned
to this transfer function, including any additional frequencies defined.
Examples
Example of JONSWAP spectrum using three base wave cases:
TRANS
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
100
100
100
100
4
1.0
5
1.0
JONS
2.0
4.0
JONS
5.0
5.0
JONS
20.0
9.0
6
1.0
1.0
10.0
50.0
Example of user-defined spectrum using three base wave cases:

TRANS
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
112
10
10
10
10
10
UDEF
UDEF
UDEF
1.1
11
1.12
12
1.0
1.93
1.786
10.0
12.79
7.23
50.0
35.42
14.71
1.09
0.926
2.86
4.91
SPREADING
Example of Ochi-Hubble spectrum:

TRANS
SPEC
SPEC
SPEC
5
5
5
5
10
OCHI
OCHI
OCHI
1.0
1.8
0.9
0.9
11
1.0
14.5
6.0
12.5
6.0
12.5
6.0
0.0
0.3
0.3
0.0
5.5
5.5
0.75
0.75
0.75
1.8
2.1
2.1
4.37. SPREADING
The SPREADING command requests that wave spreading should be applied.
Parameters
SPREADING
Keyword
power
Power of wave spreading function. If omitted, see notes for default values.
MITS
Requests Mitsuyasu spreading method. See Note 3(a).
MMIT
Requests modified Mitsuyasu spreading method. See Note 3(b).
GODA
Requests Goda spreading method. See Note 3(c).
Notes
1. The command is only valid for spectral analysis. If the command is omitted, no wave spreading calculations
will be carried out.
2. Wave spreading is NOT permissible with the Ochi-Hubble wave spectrum.
3. Wave spreading calculations may be undertaken by any one of the three methods described below. If
SPREADING is supplied but no method is selected, MITS is used by default. Note that in all cases the calculations are carried out on the stress transfer function squared.
113

(a) Mitsuyasu spreading method (See Ref. 8).
If MITS is requested then the Mitsuyasu wave spreading function is utilized, defined by:
where:
nw is the number of waves in the range
n is the defined wave spreading power (default value is 4.0)
Tn is the transfer function prior to wave spreading
Ts is the transfer function modified for wave spreading
is the angle of the wave d relative to the mean wave direction
is the angle over which the wave d is applied (radians)
Cn is the normalization function
(b) Modified Mitsuyasu spreading method (See Ref. 8).

If MMIT is requested then wave spreading calculations will be carried out using the modified Mitsuyasu
formula (based upon the complete wave environment) which is defined by:
where:
n is the defined wave spreading power (default value is 4.0)
(c) Goda spreading method (See Ref. 9).

If GODA is requested then wave spreading calculations will be carried out using the Goda formula
which is defined by:
114
STOP
where:
r is the equation
where:
rmax is the defined peak spreading power (default 10.0)
f is the frequency
fp if the frequency associated with the spectral peak
For all three methods is computed by the program by computing the angle between adjacent analysis waves. For example, for an analysis with wave directions in 45 increments, will be 0.79 radians
and, for the default spreading, nw will be 5(-/2 <= <= /2). For Goda and Mitsuyasu nw will be 8(-
<= <= ).
4.38. STOP
The STOP command is needed to signify the end of the data.
115
Parameters
STOP: Keyword.
4.39. STRUCTURE
The STRUCTURE command is used to define the name of an existing structure within the current project
which is to be processed in this run.
The STRUCTURE command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the
FATJACK data set.
Parameters
STRUCTURE
Keyword
sname
Structure name identifying which existing structure is to be accessed from the current project, see PROJECT
command (Alphanumeric, 4 characters, the first character must be alphabetic).
Usage
Compulsory.
Notes
1. See COMPONENT command.
Examples
STRUCTURE JACK
4.40. SYSTEM
The SYSTEM command is used to define the amount of memory used for data by this run.
The SYST command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the FATJACK
data set.
116
THICKNESS
Parameters
SYSTEM
Keyword
DATA AREA
Keywords
memory
Amount of memory (in 4 byte words) to be used by this run. Typical values are between 30000 and 1000000.
If the SYSTEM command is omitted, a default value of 1000000 is used. (Integer)
Usage
Optional.
Examples
4.41. TEXT
The TEXT command is used to define a line of text to be printed once only at the beginning of the
output. Several TEXT lines may be defined to give a fuller description of the current analysis on the
printed output.
The TEXT command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the FATJACK
data set.
Parameters
TEXT
Keyword
text
This line of text will be printed once, at the beginning of the output (Alphanumeric, up to 75 characters).
Usage Optional.
Examples
TEXT THIS EXAMPLE OF THE
TEXT TEXT COMMAND IS SPREAD
TEXT OVER THREE LINES
4.42. THICKNESS
The THICKNESS command is used to request modification of the S-N curves to account for varying
plate thickness. S-N curves are generally specified for material thicknesses up to a given base value,
above this value the fatigue strength decreases with increasing thickness for a given level of stress
117

range. For built in S-N curves the base thickness is normally predefined (see below). For user defined
curves the base value must be supplied on the CURVE command.
Parameters
THICKNESS
Keyword
power
Power to be used in the thickness correction. If not defined the value defaults to 0.3 (in accordance with
the current Health and Safety Executive Guidance Notes).
Notes
1. This command may be defined only once. If omitted then no thickness correction will be undertaken.
2. The following base thicknesses are used for the built in S-N curves:
Curve
tb
DET
32 mm
DEF2
22 mm
APX
25 mm
APXD
16 mm
DOT
N/A
If the DOT S-N curve is being used, a base thickness must be supplied as part of the S-N data.
3. The correction has the effect of multiplying the stress range at an inspection point by the factor:
For all curve types except DET, t is set to be at least tb; that is, no reduction can occur. For the T
curve, t is set to be at least 22 mm; that is, a beneficial reduction is achieved for thicknesses between
22 and 32 mm.
Examples
THICK
THICK 0.25
4.43. TITLE
The TITLE command is used to define a title for this run.
The TITLE command is a preliminary command, and should only appear at the head of the FATJACK
data set.
118
TYPE
Parameters
TITLE
Keyword
title
This line of text will be printed out at the top of each page of FATJACK output (Alphanumeric, up to 74
characters).
Usage
Recommended.
Examples
TITLE
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A TITLE LINE
4.44. TRANSFER
The TRANSFER command defines the constituent base wave cases for a given transfer function.
Parameters
TRANSFER
Keyword
itrans
Transfer function number (Integer).
case
Base wave case number for this transfer function. (Integer).
factor
Multiplying factor (dynamic amplification factor) to be applied to this base case (Real).
Notes
1. If additional frequencies are defined (using the FREQUENCY command) then these are automatically included in the associated transfer function.
2. The command may be repeated as many times as is required to fully define the transfer function.
Examples
TRAN 5 10 1.09 11 1.12
4.45. TYPE
The TYPE command is used to predefine specific joint configurations for a given brace member (or
members) at a joint. This command is compulsory if joints are modelled with two or three nodes. The
configurations are used for the automatic computation of stress concentration factors.
119
Parameters
TYPE
Keyword
joint
Joint number at which the joint type is being defined (Integer).
type
Joint type (Alphanumeric). Valid joint types are:
T
Y
K
X
KT
brace
User element number specifying a brace which is to be assigned this configuration. For KT joints this must
also be the central brace member (Integer).
brace2
Second user element number corresponding to the second brace in a K, X or KT joint (Integer).
brace3
Third user element number corresponding to the third brace of a KT joint (Integer).
Notes
1. For simple joints, modelled with a single node, this command is optional and if omitted the joint configuration is automatically computed as T, Y, K, X or KT depending upon the chord brace geometry. See Joint
Classification (p. 36) for details.
2. If influence functions are used any additional braces connected to the joint will be included unless declared
as secondary.
Examples
TYPE
TYPE
100
250
T
KT
1000
1100
1110
1120
4.46. UNITS
The UNITS command is used to define the UNITS which have been used in the previous analysis.
120
UNITS
Parameters
UNITS
Keyword
unitnm
Name of unit to be utilized (see Notes).
Usage
The default units adopted for the input data will be those utilized in the original analysis and if this is
satisfactory no additional information is required in the FATJACK run.
If it is required to input any of the FATJACK data in a different system of units, this can achieved by
specifying one or more UNITS commands within the main body of the FATJACK data thus permitting
a combination of unit systems within the one data file.
Notes
1. By default, the analysis units used in the previous analysis will be used.
2. If analysis units were not defined for the previous analysis, the units used MUST be specified here. If analysis units were defined for the previous analysis, they can be reconfirmed here but cannot be changed.
3. The UNITS command may be repeated throughout the data block thus permitting the greatest flexibility
in data input.
4. Force, length and angular unit may be specified. Only those terms which are required to be modified need
to be specified, undefined terms will default to those of the analysis global units unless previously overwritten
by another UNITS command. The default angular unit is degrees for all data types.
5. Analysis units must be defined if it is intended to use the UNITS command in the main FATJACK data. Valid
unit names are as follows:
Length
Force
METRE(S)
CENTIMETRE(S)
CM
MILLIMETRE(S)
MM
MICROMETRE(S)
MICM
NANOMETRE(S)
NANM
FOOT, FEET
FT
INCH, INCHES
IN
NEWTON(S)
KILONEWTON(S)
KN
MEGANEWTON(S)
MN
121

TONNEFORCE(S)
TNEF
POUNDAL(S)
PDL
POUNDFORCE
LBF
KIP(S)
KIP
TONFORCE(S)
TONF
KGFORCE(S)
KGF
Examples
To define or reconfirm the analysis units:
UNIT N M
To switch the length unit of the input data to millimetre:

UNIT MM
4.47. WAVE
The WAVE command defines the association between the analyzed load cases and the wave information
used to generate the loads. If the wave loading was generated by WAVE, the association may be extracted
automatically.
Parameters
WAVE
Keyword.
AUTO
Keyword to denote that wave information is to be extracted from the analysis files.
case
Wave case number associated with this wave data (Integer).
height
Wave height (Real).
period
Wave Period (Real).
direction
Wave direction (Real).
NPOS
Keyword to denote that the number of wave positions associated with this wave case is to be defined.
This is required for stress history analysis only.
npos
Number of wave positions associated with this wave case (Integer).
122
YEAR
Notes
1. For wave loading generated or modified outside WAVE then the WAVE data must be supplied explicitly:
a. The WAVE commands must be specified in the order corresponding to the order of the analyzed wave
load cases.
b. The wave case numbers are independent of the load case numbers used in the analysis.
c. All wave cases analyzed must be defined.
2. For WAVE AUTO:
a. This command may only be used if the wave loading was generated using the WAVE program, and no
additional loading information was added prior to the analysis.
b. Loadcases will be generated sequentially from 1. For deterministic and spectral analyses there will be
one wave case for each analyzed load case pair. For stress history analysis due account will be taken of
the number of wave steps used in analyzing each wave case.
Examples
WAVE
WAVE
WAVE
10
12.0
6
13.5
AUTO
10.0
180.0
9.8
90.0
NPOS
4.48. YEAR
The YEAR command defines the target fatigue life of the structure. Braces with fatigue lives less than
this value will be flagged as having failed.
Parameters
YEAR
Keyword
target
Target life in years (Real).
Examples
YEAR
50.0
123
124
Chapter 5: FATJACK Appendices

5.1. Running FATJACK
5.2. Section Profile Information
5.3. FATJACK References
5.1. Running FATJACK

5.1.1. ASAS Files Required by FATJACK
5.1.2. Files saved by FATJACK
5.1.1. ASAS Files Required by FATJACK

FATJACK operates on the RST files produced by a preceding Mechanical APDL analysis.
5.1.2. Files saved by FATJACK

If the RESU command is specified in the FATJACK data, then the results can be extracted (for example,
via AXL) or viewed graphically.
5.2. Section Profile Information

The following are the dimensional information required for each of the section types that may be specified
using a DESIGN command. For each section defined below, the four locations at which fatigue calculations
are undertaken are marked.
5.2.1. BOX - Symmetric Fabricated Box Section
Dimensional Properties: dbtf tw

where:
125
FATJACK Appendices
d
is the beam depth
b
is the beam width
tf
is the thickness of the top and bottom plates
tw
is the thickness of the side plates
5.2.2. RHS - Rolled Hollow Section
Dimensional Properties: dbt

where:
d
is the beam depth
b
is the beam width
t
is the thickness
5.2.3. TUB - Tubes of Circular Section
126
FATJACK References
Dimensional Properties: Dt
where:
D
is the outer diameter
t
is the wall thickness
5.2.4. WF - Wide Flanged Rolled I-Section
Dimensional Properties: dbtftw

where:
d
is the beam depth
b
is the flange width
tf
is the flange thickness
tw
is the web thickness
5.3. FATJACK References

Ref.
1
Barltrop, N.D.P. & Adams, A.J., 1991, Dynamics of Fixed Marine Structures,
Third Edition.
Ref.
2
Wordsworth, A.C. & Smedley, G.P., 1978, Stress concentrations at unstiffened

tubular joints, European offshore steels research seminar.
Ref.
3
Kuang, J.G., Potvin, A.B., Leick, R.D., and Kahlich, J.L., 1977, Stress concentration
in tubular joints, Society of Petroleum Engineers Journal.
Ref.
4
Department of Energy, 1990, Offshore Installations: guidance on design,

construction and certification, 4th edition, HMSO.
127
FATJACK Appendices
Ref.
5
Pierson, W.J., and Moskowitz, L., 1964, A proposed spectral form of fully
developed wind seas based on the similarity theory of S.A. Kitaigorodskii,
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume69.
Ref.
6
Hasselmann, D.W., Dunckel, M. and Ewing, J.A., 1989, Directional Wave Spectra
observed during JONSWAP in 1973, Journal Physical Oceanography 10.
Ref.
7
Ochi, M.K., 1976, Proceedings of the 15th Coastal Engineering Conference,

ASCE.
Ref.
8
Mitsuyasu, H. et al, 1975 Observations of the directional spectrum of ocean

waves using a cloverleaf buoy, Journal Physical Oceanography, Vol. 5.
Ref.
9
Goda, Y. and Suzuki, Y., 1975, Computation of refraction and diffraction of

sea waves with Mitsuyasus directional spectrum, Tech. Note of Port and
Harbour Research Institute No 230.
Ref.
10
DS449 Dansk Ingenirforening 1984, Pile-Supported Offshore Steel Structures,

Part 2, AnnexE.
Ref.
11
Efthymiou, M. 1988, Development of SCF formulae and generalised influence

functions for use in fatigue analysis. OTJ88.
128

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FATJACK User's Manual

FATJACK User's Manual

Chapter 1: FATJACK Introduction

Chapter 2: FATJACK Theory

2.1. Fatigue Assessment

2.2. S-N Curves

2.3. Miner's Rule

Miners Rule then gives the total annual damage as:

2.4. Deterministic Methods

2.5. Spectral Analysis

Figure 2.3: Random Sea States

Strategies for Wave Fatigue Analysis

2.6. Time History Methods

2.7. Strategies for Wave Fatigue Analysis

Rainflow counting for a

Use multiple load sets to get

Stress Time History

Use multiple load steps to

Real & Imaginary

Deterministic Ocean loading can be

Real & Imaginary

Ocean loading can be

Real & Imaginary

Ocean loading can be

Strategies for Wave Fatigue Analysis

Strategies for Wave Fatigue Analysis

Parametric SCF Equations

2.8. Parametric SCF Equations

Parametric SCF Equations

Table 2.2: Wordsworth Equations For SCFs In X-joints

Table 2.3: Wordsworth Equations For SCFs In K-joints

Table 2.4: Wordsworth Equations For SCFs In KT-joints

Outer two braces only loaded.

Parametric SCF Equations

For brace C replace gab with gbc, A with C, C with A, A with C, C

Table 2.5: Kuang Equations In T/Y-joints

Table 2.6: Kuang Equations In K-joints

Parametric SCF Equations

Table 2.8: Kuang Equations In T-joints

Table 2.9: Danish Equations In Y-joints

Parametric SCF Equations

Table 2.10: Danish Equations In K and KT-joints

Table 2.11: Danish Equations In X-joints

Parametric SCF Equations

Table 2.12: Efthymiou Equations For SCFs In T/Y-joints

Axial load general

Short chord correction factors ( < 12)

Chord-end fixity parameter

Table 2.13: Efthymiou Equations For SCFs In X-joints

Parametric SCF Equations

Parametric SCF Equations

Table 2.17: Efthymiou Influence Functions For X-joints

Influence function for reference brace

If no braces are present on the opposite side of the chord,

Parametric SCF Equations

Influence function for brace A

Influence function for brace A

Parametric SCF Equations

Influence function for brace A

Parametric SCF Equations

Hot spot stress expression