Patent ID: 7406767

Claim:
A fabrication process for a section ( 11 ) of an offshore oil production platform support leg ( 2 ) member ( 10 ), the member ( 10 ) comprising a main plate ( 12 ) incorporating, on at least one longitudinal edge, teeth ( 14 ) forming a rack and at least one stiffener of semicylindrical shape welded to a main surface ( 12 A) of the main plate ( 12 ) along two longitudinal edges ( 16 ), the stiffener ( 13 ) and the plate ( 12 ) delimiting a conduit ( 17 ), wherein it includes the following stages applied to at least one part of the length of the member ( 10 ): a) machining of each longitudinal edge ( 16 ) of the stiffener ( 13 ) to form, along the longitudinal edge ( 16 ), a lip ( 18 ) for bearing on the main surface ( 12 A) of the main plate ( 12 ) by forming, along the longitudinal edge ( 16 ), an external bevel ( 20 ) on the side opposite the conduit ( 17 ); b) applying a sole ( 22 ) of the bearing lip ( 18 ) to the main surface ( 12 A) of the plate ( 12 ); c) heating the bearing lip ( 18 ) to ensure its welding to the plate ( 12 ) and to form a bearing weld ( 78 ); and d) with filler metal, forming a weld bead ( 80 ) from outside the conduit ( 17 ) within the space defined between the bearing weld ( 78 ), the external bevel ( 20 ) and the main surface ( 12 A) of the main plate ( 12 ).