6/25/2023 0 Comments Structural integrityOnce the assessment is complete, the operator can use ASPIRE to determine risk targets based around the probability and consequence of failure and a recommended time until inspection is required.Ĭollaborating with a Member company, TWI used its expertise to assess the Douglas Platform complex in the Liverpool Bay / Irish Sea. Due to life extension projects, many oil wells are being used beyond their original design life, which makes the assessment of critical components more important than ever to prevent unexpected failures. TWI’s expertise was called upon as part of a consortium of partners working on the ASPIRE Project, co-funded by the Horizon 2020 programme of the European Union, to ensure the integrity of critical components for upstream assets. TWI also provided the operator with an inspection strategy for the future, to ensure the most efficient use of resources and reduced inspection costs going forward. TWI collaborated with a major Oil and Gas operator to provide a comprehensive structural integrity assessment of around 100 oil well conductors, to ensure they were safe to continue service, providing peace of mind to the Member company. ![]() Discussed below are examples of these collaborations. TWI has a long history of working with its Members, across a range of industry sectors, to assist in maintaining assets. Recommend and design modifications to address areas of concern.Check that a structure is being used appropriately for the environment designed for.Check that a structure has been built according to the appropriate designs, procedures and standards.This might involve the use of non-destructive testing (NDT) Carry out inspections to identify damage.Once built, a construction will need inspection and maintenance to maintain its integrity. How to Calculate the Integrity of StructuresĮngineers combine an array of considerations into the design process, such as materials performance, stress analysis and fracture mechanics. At these temperatures, the steel will begin to buckle and twist if subject to high loads, which will impede structural integrity.Ĭonsequently, engineers must take into account the environmental temperature range that a structure will be subject to over its life span. High temperatures are known to weaken steel, which begins to soften at around 425☌ and loses about half of its strength at 650☌. The performance of the steel is vital to maintain the required integrity. Structural steels are used in most large construction projects, such as buildings and bridges, in the form of girders etc. The structure is not used for its intended purposeĪt What Temperature Does Steel Lose Structural Integrity? Improper environmental considerations. Engineers may neglect mitigating features for certain environmental conditions, such as natural disasters.Defective material. The materials don't conform to standards, resulting in a lower load bearing capacity than designed.It can also result from poor workmanship or components being out of tolerance, etc Manufacturing errors. This includes using the wrong materials or not following manufacturing procedures or standards.This is usually due to inappropriate geometric design, material choice or maintenance These cracks grow when subject to cyclic loading, resulting in sudden failure. Fatigue failures often begin when cracks form at regions of high stress. The structure deteriorates due to corrosion, fatigue, wear, rot or creep. This is usually due to inappropriate geometric design or material choice The structure is not strong enough to withstand the load to which it is subject. The primary reasons for failure are as follows: The type of failure is often associated with the industry, environment and application of the structure. Structural failure can occur from a range of different sources. ![]() What are the Causes of Structural Failure? Engineers ensure structures are safe, reliable and perform their designed function throughout their lifetime. This requires inspection and maintenance at periodic intervals. Integrity is not just a case of good design it needs to be maintained for the life of a structure. Click here to see our latest technical engineering podcasts on YouTube. This includes supporting its own weight, aiming to prevent deformation, breaking and catastrophic failure throughout its predicted lifetime. Structural integrity is an engineering field that helps ensure that either a structure or structural component is fit for purpose under normal operational conditions and is safe even should conditions exceed that of the original design.
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