The failure of one or even more components usually does not lead to collapse of the whole structure. Most of the analysis of fatigue is centered on only a single component which the researchers are interested in or much attention shall be paid to. However, the collapse of a structure is the result of failure of a series of components in a specific order or path. This paper proposes an integrated approach for fatigue life prediction of whole offshore platforms, mainly describing the basic principles and methods. The methods of determining failure path of whole structure system and calculating the fatigue life in the determined failure path are presented. The corresponding final collapse criteria for the whole structure system are discussed. A simple method of equivalent fatigue stress range calculation and a mathematical model of structural component fatigue life estimation due to sea wave and sea ice loads are provided. As an application of the proposed approach, a fixed production platform Bohai No.8 is chosen for the predication of fatigue life of whole structure system.
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