This paper on "Lessons to be Learned from the Sleipner Accident" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Design, Simulation & Optimisation: Reliability & Applicability of Computational Methods - 9-11 April 1997, Stuttgart, Germany.

Summary

Methods used for the analysis of offshore concrete platforms are described. The reasons for the Sleipner accident are described in some detail. Two simultaneous errors caused the loss, a serious inaccuracy in the finite element analysis. and an unfortunate detailing of the reinforcement.
Lessons learned from the accident are discussed. including a renewed emphasis on basic understanding of structural mechanics in teaching, better co-ordination of preliminary design and global finite element analysis, more robust calculation of stress resultants and requirements for implementation of automatic warnings about risk of errors in commercial software.