This is the fourth edition of the FIP Recommendations for the Design and Construction of Concrete Sea Structures.

The first edition was based on decisions taken at the FIP Symposium in Tbilisi, Georgia, in October 1972. The second and third editions followed in rapid succession in 1974 and 1977, reflecting the dynamic growth of applications of concrete at sea.

At the FIP Congress in 1978, it was decided not to focus on continually updating the FIP Recommendations, but rather to place greater emphasis on making in-depth background information available concerning the different aspects of concrete sea structures.

The publication of the following FIP reports should be seen in this context: August 1979, Foundations of Concrete Gravity Structures in the North Sea; March 1982, Cover to Steel Reinforcement for Floating Concrete Structures; May 1982, Sea Operations; May 1982, Permanent Anchorages for Offshore Structures; August 1982, The Inspection, Maintenance and Repair of Concrete Sea Structures. Furthermore, information has been exchanged through publications in FIP Notes and through contributions at symposia and congresses.

Since 1977, much has been achieved in the application of concrete at sea, and a wealth of experience has become available from existing structures. One of the achievements since that year has been the further development of semi-probabilistic design methods. Numerous research programmes have been carried out in several countries and by several organisations.

The FIP Commission on Concrete Sea Structures decided in 1981 to review the third edition of the Recommendations. Ten Working Groups of this Commission set to work on the different headings of the Recommendations within their fields of expertise.