Abstract
The membrane type LNG tank is non self-supporting tank which consists of both primary and secondary membrane supported through the insulation boxes by the adjacent hull struc¬ture. Although the membranes are not structural member. They are subject to periodical cyclic loads due to the thermal expansion and other expansions or contraction of membrane. At the design stage of the tank, an analytical and experimental approach on the fatigue strengths of membrane and its welds is necessary in order to assist the designer and the inpector. In this study the evaluation method of fatigue strength of membrane type LNG tank is pre¬sented with FEM analysis and fatigue test of lap welds and it contains the following:1) The fatigue tests and preparation of design S - N curve for lap welds 2) FEM analysis of test specimens 3) Estimation of cumulative damage factor of lap welds 4) Guideline for inspection of lap welds of membrane type LNG tank As the results of analytical and experimental approaches in this study, the evaluation method of fatigue strengths of membrane type LNG tank is proposed, which is expected to be useful for design and inspection of membrane type LNG tank.
