Norsok N-004-2004

Steel Frame Design Manual

for

ISO SAP071709M24 Rev. 0 Version 14

Berkeley, California, USA July 2009
 COPYRIGHT

Copyright © Computers and Structures, Inc., 1978-2009

All rights reserved.
® ®
The CSI Logo and SAP2000 are registered trademarks of Computers and Structures,
® ®
Inc. Adobe and Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
®
The computer program SAP2000 and all associated documentation are proprietary and
copyrighted products. Worldwide rights of ownership rest with Computers and
Structures, Inc. Unlicensed use of this program or reproduction of documentation in any
form, without prior written authorization from Computers and Structures, Inc., is
explicitly prohibited.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any

means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior explicit
written permission of the publisher.

Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:

Computers and Structures, Inc.

1995 University Avenue, Suite 540
Berkeley, California 94704
USA

Phone: +1 (510) 649-2200

Fax: +1 (510) 649-2299
E-mail: info@csiberkeley.com (general questions)
support@csiberkeley.com (technical support)
Web: www.csiberkeley.com
 DISCLAIMER

CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE

DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF THIS SOFTWARE. HOWEVER, THE USER
ACCEPTS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT NO WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED BY THE DEVELOPERS OR THE DISTRIBUTORS ON THE ACCURACY
OR THE RELIABILITY OF THIS PRODUCT.

THIS PRODUCT IS A PRACTICAL AND POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL

DESIGN. HOWEVER, THE USER MUST EXPLICITLY UNDERSTAND THE BASIC
ASSUMPTIONS OF THE SOFTWARE MODELING, ANALYSIS, AND DESIGN
ALGORITHMS AND COMPENSATE FOR THE ASPECTS THAT ARE NOT
ADDRESSED.

THE INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THE SOFTWARE MUST BE CHECKED BY A

QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED ENGINEER. THE ENGINEER MUST
INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE RESULTS AND TAKE PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION THAT IS USED.
 Contents

1 Introduction
1.1 Units 1-2
1.2 Axes Notation 1-2
1.3 Symbols 1-2

2 Design for Norsok N-004

3
3.1 Tension Check 2-1
3.2 Compression Check 2-1
3.3 Flexure Check 2-3
3.4 Shear Check 2-4
3.5 Hoop Buckling Check 2-4
3.6 Axial Tension and Bending Check 2-5
3.7 Axial Compression and Bending Check 2-7
3.8 Interaction Shear and Bending Moment 2-10
3.9 Interaction Shear, Bending and Torsional Moment 2-10

References

Contents i
 Chapter
1
Introductio
n

This manual describes the steel frame design algorithms in the software for the
Norsok Standard N-004-2004 [Norsok N-004] design code. The design
algorithms in the software for Norsok N-004-2004 cover ultimate limit state
(ULS) checks for typical structural elements used in offshore steel structures, as
detailed in this manual. Such elements are tubular members and tubular joints.
For other types of structural elements, the software uses Eurocode 3-1:2005.
Requirements of the code not documented in this manual should be considered
using other methods.

This manual documents the design details for tubular sections having thickness
t  6 mm, D/t < 120. Tubular sections subjected solely to axial tension, axial
compression, bending, shear, or hydrostatic pressure are designed in accordance
with Norsok N-004 Sections 6.3.2 to 6.3.6. Tubular elements subjected to
combined loads without hydrostatic pressure are designed in accordance with
Norsok N-004 Section 6.3.8. Tubular elements subjected to combined loads
with hydrostatic pressure are designed in accordance with Norsok N-004
Section 6.3.9.

It is important to read this entire manual before using the design algorithms to
become familiar with any limitations of the algorithms or assumptions that have
been made.
1-1
Steel Frame Design NORSOK N-004-2004

1.1 Units
The Norsok N-004 design code is based on Newton, millimeter, and second
units and as such, so is this manual, unless noted otherwise. Any units
imperial, metric, or MKSmay be used in the software in conjunction with
Norsok N-004 design.

1.2 Axes Notation

The software analysis results refer to the member local axes system, which
consists of the 2-2 axis and the 3-3 axis. The Norsok N-004 design code refers
to y-y and z-z axes, which are equivalent to the software 3-3 and 2-2 axes,
respectively. These notations may be used interchangeably in the design
algorithms, although every effort has been made to use the design code
convention where possible.

1.3 Symbols
The following table provides a list of the symbols used in this manual, along
with a short description. Where possible, the same symbol from the design code
is used in this manual.
2
A Gross area of cross section, mm
2
A Shear area, mm
Ce Critical elastic buckling coefficient = 0.3
Cm Moment diagram factor
D Outside diameter, mm
5 2
E Modulus of elasticity, 2.1x10 N/mm
2
fc Characteristic local buckling strength, N/mm
l
2
fE Smaller Euler buckling strength in y or z direction, N/mm
2
fm Characteristic bending strength, N/mm
2
fy Characteristic yield strength, N/mm
i Radius of gyration
4
IP Polar moment of inertia, mm

1-2 Units
 Chapter 1 Introduction

k Effective length factor

l Longer unbraced length in 2 or 3 direction, mm
MSd Design bending moment, N-mm
MRd Design bending resistance, N-mm
Nc,Rd Design compression resistance, N
NSd Design axial force, N
Nt,Rd Design tension resistance, N
t Wall thickness, mm
VRd Design shear resistance, N
VSd Design shear force, N
3
W Elastic section modulus, mm
3
Z Plastic section modulus, mm
 Partial factor for resistance of cross-sections
M

 Column slenderness parameter

Symbols 1-3
 Chapter
2 Design for Norsok
N-004

This chapter provides the details of the structural steel design and stress check
algorithms that are used when the Norsok N-004 design code is chosen
(NORSOK N-004).

2.1 Tension Check

The axial tension check at each output station shall satisfy:

NSd
Nt,Rd  1.0 (Norsok 6.3.2)

where the design tension resistance, Nt,Rd is taken as:

Nt,Rd  Afy (Norsok 6.3.2)

M

2.2 Compression Check

The axial compression check at each output station shall satisfy:

NSd
Nc,Rd  1.0 (Norsok 6.3.3)

2-1
Steel Frame Design NORSOK N-004-2004

where the design compression resistance, Nc,Rd is taken as:

Nc,Rd
Afc (Norsok 6.3.3)

M

In the absence of hydrostatic pressure the characteristic axial compressive

strength for tubular members is the smaller of the in-plane or out-of-plane
buckling strength computed from the following equations.

The characteristic axial compressive strength is taken as:

f  1.0  0.28 2  f for   1.34 (Norsok Eqn. 6.3)
c   y
0.9
f  f for   1.34 (Norsok Eqn. 6.4)
c y

2
fcl fE kl fcl E
 i (Norsok Eqn. 6.5)

The characteristic local buckling strength is determined from:

fcl  fy for fy
 0.170 (Norsok Eqn. 6.6)
f
c e

 fy  fy
fcl  1.047  0.274 f for 0.170  f  (Norsok Eqn. 6.7)
 f
 y 1.911
 c e  ce

fcl  fc e for fy
 (Norsok Eqn. 6.8)
1.911
f
c e

t
f  2C E
ce e
D
fy
For f  0.170, the tube is a class 4 cross-section and the  M value is taken
c e
 from Norsok Section 6.3.7, equation 6.22.

2-2 Compression Check

 Chapter 2 Design for NORSOK N-004

2.3 Flexure Check

The moment check at each output station shall satisfy:

MSd
MRd  1.0 (Norsok 6.3.4)

where the design moment resistance, M,Rd is taken as:

MRd
Wfm (Norsok 6.3.4)
 
M

The characteristic bending strength for tubular members is determined from:

Z
f f
for fy D 0.0517 (Norsok Eqn. 6.10)
m

y
 W fy D   Z  Et
f  1.13  2.58 f fy D 0.1034
 for 0.0517  
m
Et   y
  W  Et

(Norsok Eqn. 6.11)

 fy D  Z  fy
f  0.94  0.76 f fy D 120
 for 0.1034  Et 
m
Et   E
 W
y


(Norsok Eqn. 6.12)

where,

 
W    D4   D  2t 4
32 D

Z
1
D 3
 D  2t 
3

6
fy
For  0.170, the tubular member is a class 4 cross-section and the  value
fc e
M

is used from Norsok Section 6.3.7, equation 6.22.

Flexure Check 2-3
Steel Frame Design NORSOK N-004-2004

2.4 Shear Check

The shear check at each output station shall satisfy:

VS
d  1.0 (Norsok 6.3.5)
VR
d

where the design shear resistance VRd is taken as:

VRd  Afy
(Norsok 6.3.5)
2 3 M

Tubular members subjected to shear from torsional moment are designed to

satisfy the following condition:

MT ,Sd
MT ,Rd  1.0 (Norsok 6.3.5)

MT ,Rd  2IP fy
(Norsok Eqn. 6.14)
D 3 M

where,
 
IP  D4   D  2t 4 
32  

2.5 Hoop Buckling Check

Tubular members subjected to external pressure are designed to satisfy the
following condition:

 p,Sd 
f f (Norsok Eqn. 6.15)
h
h,Rd 
m

where,
Steel Frame Design NORSOK N-004-2004

2-4 Shear Check

 Chapter 2 Design for NORSOK N-
004

 p,Sd  pSd D
(Norsok Eqn. 6.16)
2t

 fy
 0.4 for fhe  2.44 fy
f  0.7 f  fhe  ffor 2.44 f   0.55 f
 y 
h
 yf  y he y
  
f for f  0.55 f
 he he y

(Norsok Eqn. 6.17, 6.18, and 6.19)

fhe  2Ch E (Norsok Eqn. 6.20)

t
D

0.44t D
for   1.6D t
 3
0.44t D  0.21 D t   4 for 0.825D t    1.6D t
C h  0.737    0.579
 for 1.5    0.825D t

0.80 for   1.5

L2D

Dt

2.6 Axial Tension and Bending Check

Tubular members subjected to combined axial tension and bending loads,
without hydrostatic pressure, are designed to satisfy the following condition:

1.75 M y2,Sd M 2z,Sd

 N Sd   1.0 (Norsok Eqn. 6.26)
 
N M Rd

 t ,Rd


Tubular members subjected to combined axial tension, bending, and hydrostatic

pressure are designed based on Method A or Method B, as specified in Norsok
 Chapter 2 Design for NORSOK N-
004 N-004-2004 and selected in the design preferences.

Axial Tension and Bending Check 2-5

Steel Frame Design NORSOK N-004-2004

Method A

In Method A, the member axial stress  a,Sd should not include the effect of the
hydrostatic capped-end axial stress.

For the net axial tension case, where a,Sd ≥ q,Sd, the following check is made.

 a,Sd   q,Sd
  my
2
 2
mz,Sd
 (Norsok Eqn. 6.34)
,Sd  1.0
fth,Rd fmh,Rd

whereq,Sd is taken as p,Sd

0.5

f
 
fth,Rd 1  0.09B2  B2

(Norsok Eqn. 6.35)
y
 0.3B
m

fmh,Rd  fm  1  0.09B 2

 B2  0.3B  (Norsok Eqn. 6.36)

 m

B
p,Sd
fh,Rd
 1.0 (Norsok Eqn. 6.37)

 54
fh
(Norsok Eqn. 6.38)
fy

For the net axial compression case, where  a,Sd < q,Sd
, the following check is
made.
 a,Sd   q,Sd
 2
 my  2
,Sd mz,Sd
 (Norsok Eqn. 6.39)
 1.0
fcl ,Rd fmh,Rd

,Rd
where

fcl
fcl  
Steel Frame Design NORSOK N-004-2004
(Norsok Eqn. 6.40)
m

2-6 Axial Tension and Bending Check

 Chapter 2 Design for NORSOK N-004

If 
 0.5 and > , the following is also checked.
c,Sd fhe cl
f e
0.5fhe
m

  0.5 
c,Sd
f  (Norsok Eqn. 6.41)
2 1.0
h  
 p,Sd
e 
m
fcle fhe  fhe 
 0.5
 
m m  m 

where,

   m,Sd   q,Sd   a,Sd

c,Sd

M z2,Sd M 2y,Sd
 m,Sd 
W

Method B

In Method B, the member axial stress  ac,Sd should include the effect of the
hydrostatic capped-end axial stress. For this case, the following check is made.


  my,Sd 
2 2
ac,Sd
mz
 (Norsok Eqn. 6.42)
 ,Sd
1.0
fth,Rd fmh,Rd

2.7 Axial Compression and Bending Check

Tubular member subjected to combined axial compression and bending loads,
without hydrostatic pressure, are designed to satisfy the following condition:

 2 2 0.5
  
N 1 CM  C M  
Sd

 my y,Sd
    mz z ,Sd   
1.0 (Norsok Eqn. 6.27)
Nc,Rd M  NSd   1 NSd  
Rd  1 
 NEy   NEz  
  



Axial Compression and Bending Check 2-7

Steel Frame Design NORSOK N-004-2004

and,

NSd
2
M y,Sd  M z2
 ,Sd
 1.0 (Norsok Eqn. 6.28)
Ncl ,Rd M Rd

fcl
Ncl,Rd  A

M

 2EA
NEy  (Norsok Eqn. 6.29)
 kl 2
 i

y

NEz 
 2EA
(Norsok Eqn. 6.30)
 kl
2
 i

z

Tubular members subjected to combined axial compression, bending, and

hydrostatic pressure are designed based on Method A or Method B, as specified
in Norsok N-004-2004 and selected in the design preferences.

Method A

In Method A, the member axial stress a,Sdshould not include the effect of the
hydrostatic capped-end axial stress. The following checks are made.

  2  2 0.5

 C   
 1 C 
a,Sd  my my,Sd    mz mz,Sd    1.0 (Norsok Eqn. 6.43)
 

fch,Rd fmh,Rd  1   a,Sd   a,Sd 

 1
f  
   Ez 
  
f Ey  
 a,Sd   q,Sd
 2 ,Sd
 my
,Sd
 2
mz

  1.0 (Norsok Eqn. 6.44)
fcl ,Rd fmh,Rd

where,

2-8 Axial Compression and Bending Check

 Chapter 2 Design for NORSOK N-004

f Ey   2 E  2E
f
 kl  2 , Ez  kl (Norsok Eqn. 6.45 and 6.46)
 2
   
 i y  i z

1 f  2  
for   1.34 1
q,Sd 2
   1.12
2 2
 cl   q,Sd 1 q,Sd 
 fcl
 2  m fcl fcl  
fch,Rd  
 0.9 f
2 1
 cl for   1.34 1  q,Sd

 fcl
  
2

(Norsok Eqn. 6.47 and 6.48)

  1  0.28 (Norsok Eqn. 6.49)

2

If 
 0.5 and > , then Norsok equation 6.41 is also checked.
c,Sd fhe cl
f e
0.5fhe
m

Method B

In Method B, the member axial stress  ac,S should include the effect of the
d
hydrostatic capped-end axial stress.

For the case, where ac,Sd >  , the following checks are made.
 2 2 0.5
 
  
1 C    
 C 
ac,Sd q,Sd
  my my,Sd   mz mz,Sd    1.0

fch,Rd fmh,Rd   ac,Sd   q,Sd   ac,Sd   q,Sd 
 1  1  

   f Ez
fEy  
 

 (Norsok Eqn. 6.50)

  my,Sd
2
 2
ac,Sd

mz  (Norsok Eqn. 6.51)
 ,Sd
1.0
fcl ,Rd fmh,Rd

Axial Compression and Bending Check 2-9

Steel Frame Design NORSOK N-004-2004

If  fcle fhe
 0.5 and  0.5 , then Norsok equation 6.41 is also
c,Sd fhe m m
m
checked.

For the case, where ac,Sd ≤  , the following check is made.


  my,Sd 
2 2
ac,Sd
mz
 (Norsok Eqn. 6.51)
 ,Sd
1.0
fcl ,Rd fmh,Rd

If  fcle  0.5 fhe , then Norsok equation 6.41 also is

 0.5 and
c,Sd fhe m m
m
checked.

2.8 Interaction Shear and Bending Moment

Tubular members subjected to beam shear force and bending moment are
checked for the following conditions:

M 1.4  VSd VSd

Sd  for  0.4 (Norsok Eqn. 6.31)
VRd VRd
M
Rd

 for VSd  0.4 (Norsok Eqn. 6.32)

MSd 1.0 VRd
MRd

2.9 Interaction Shear, Bending, andTorsional Moment

Tubular members 1.4
subjected
 VSd to beam shear force, bending moment, and
torsional moment are
VRd checked for the following conditions:

MSd
MRe d   for
for
,Rd 1.0
VSd VRd VSd  0.4
 0.4 (Norsok Eqn. 6.33)
VRd

2-10 Interaction Shear and Bending Moment

 Chapter 2 Design for NORSOK N-004

where,

Wfm,Re d
MRed  
,Rd
M

 2
fm,Re d  fm 1  3 T ,Sd 

fd

MT ,Sd
T 
,Sd
2 R2t

fy

fd 
M

Interaction Shear, Bending, and Torsional Moment 2-11

 References

Norsok Standard N-004 (Norsok). Design of Steel Structures; Rev. 2. October

2004.

References i