In-service Effects on Mechanical and Fracture Properties of Steel from the Arctic Drilling Unit Kulluk

This study presents selected data from an extensive testing program on steel taken from the Kulluk that was carried out to characterize the present-day mechanical properties. The program investigated the tensile and failure behaviours as well as the fracture energies and ductile-to-brittle transition temperature of steel from two hull locations. These locations were selected based on the following criteria: exposure to seawater and temperature fluctuations, experience of high ice loads, level of plastic deformation, and steel grades. The two selected pieces were made of EH II and DHN grades. The initial results showed that the steels still meet the design requirements as per the ABS rules.