Insights into Using the 22nd Edition of API RP 2A Recommended Practice for Planning, Designing and Constructing Fixed Offshore Platforms - Working Stress Design

Abstract

Abstract This paper provides insights and interpretations regarding the use of API RP2A-WSD 22nd Edition. In 2010, OTC paper #20837 discussed modifications beingmade to and reasons behind the changes to API 2A-WSD in conjunction with othernew API standards, 2MET, 2EQ, 2SIM and 2GEO and the elimination of APIBulletins 2INT-MET, 2INT-DG and 2INT-EX. In this paper, emphasis is placed onuse of the 22nd Edition in combination with the other new standards. General API RP 2A-WSD 22nd Edition was balloted in 2011 and approved by 96% of thevotes cast. There were over 339 individual comments (the vast majorityeditorial) with some 21 still in final resolution by API TG13 at the time thispaper was written. This has resulted in the API RP 2A-WSD 22nd Edition finaltable of contents to include the following (with reference to the 21st EditionSection in parentheses):Section 1: ScopeSection 2: Normative ReferencesSection 3: Terms, Definitions and AcronymsSection 4: Planning (21st Edition Section 1)Section 5: Design Criteria and Procedures (21st Edition Section 2)Section 6: Structural Steel Design (21st Edition Section 3)Section 7: Strength of Tubular Joints (21st Edition Section 4)Section 8: Fatigue (21st Edition Section 5)Section 9: Foundation Design (21st Edition Section 6)Section 10: Other Structural Components and Systems (21st Edition Section7)Section 11: Material (21st Edition Section 8)Section 12: Drawings and Specifications (21st Edition Section 9)Section 13: Welding (21st Edition Section 10)Section 14: Fabrication (21st Edition Section 11)Section 15: Installation (21st Edition Section 12)Section 16: Inspection (21st Edition Section 13)Section 17: Accidental Loading (21st Edition Section 18)Section 18: Reuse (21st Edition Section 15)Section 19: Minimum and Special Structures (21st Edition Section 16)Annex A (Informative): API 2A-WSD 21st Edition vs. 22nd EditionCross-referenceAnnex B (Informative): CommentaryBibliography Changes from OTC paper #20837 and specific topics of importance in using thenew API Standards are discussed below.