ABSTRACT
The following average safety-indices have been estimated for marine structural systems:
D Merchant-ship deck collapse 5.3 D Naval frigate deck collapse 2.2 D UK offshore structures 3. 7 D US offshore structures 2.3 D Semi-submersibles 4.4 D North Sea tension leg platform 5.3 D UK steel bridges 4.8
The Safety Index is now being used as the basis for risk acceptance, since it incorporates uncertainties of load and strength into the traditional safety factor concept. A minimum allowable safety index, Po, can be specified as the design criteria for a component or a system. For example, the following target safetyindices are recommended by A. S. Veritas Research, a Norwegian agency that certifies large scale structures worldwide.
