Structural Dynamics
Services
Our experience with steel structures both in the office and in the field helps us to identify the potential for elevated levels of stress or vibration and develop solutions for structural problems. We conduct finite element analysis (FEA) and field measurements for structures to reduce the potential for problems. Where desired, design optimisation can be carried out to reduce material, fabrication and installation costs associated with steel structures.
Complimenting services which Asset Integrity can also provide include pipe stress analysis, thermal analysis, flow induced vibration (FIV) studies, and water hammer analysis.
About Structural Analysis
Finite element analysis (FEA) allows us to predict how a steel structure is going to react to different loading conditions, and make the necessary changes to a design early enough in the process to minimise the impact to design/fabrication costs. Structural analysis prior to fabrication also gives us the opportunity to make the necessary changes whilst maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design.
The reduction of structural vibration not only allows us to reduce the potential for fatigue failure, but also the potential for whole body vibration. Whole body vibration affects personnel working in plant areas and can limit the time that they can operate in the area. In some situations this has an impact on the ability to operate as efficiently as possible.
REQUEST QUOTE
“Reduce material, fabrication and installation costs associated with steel structures.”
| Typical Problem | - Analysis Type | - Asset |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic stress and vibration/failure predictions for structures and equipment packages | - Dynamic - Linear/Non-Linear - Steady-State/Transient - Contact | - Structure - Equipment Package |
| Weight reduction of a structure, to reduce cost | - Design Optimisation | - Structure |
| Pressure vessel design, including support design | - Static/Dynamic | - Pressure Vessel |
| Deflection and stress predictions for a pump during start-up | - Transient | - Pump - Structure |
| Structural integrity check for vibrating screens and associated structure | - Static/Dynamic | - Vibrating Screen - Structure |
| Re-design of an agitator support frame to pass agitator angular deflection limits | - Dynamic - Design Optimisation | - Agitator -Tank - Structure |
| Buckling analysis for structures or components | - Buckling | - Structure - Component |
| Wind loading, earthquake loads and lifting loads for equipment skids | - Static/Dynamic - Random | - Equipment Package |
| Foundation failure and excessive transmission of ball mill vibration | - Dynamic | - Ball Mill |
| Static stress predictions for structures (including offshore structures) | - Static | - Structure |
| Expansion of existing plant | - Static/Dynamic | - Structure |
| Deterioration of reciprocating compressor grout conditions, causing elevated vibration levels of vessels and piping | - Dynamic - Field Measurements | - Reciprocating Compressor - Pressure Vessel - Piping / Fitting |
| Excessive frame vibration due to attached mechanical equipment (e.g. vertical pump) | - Dynamic - Field Measurements | - Structure - Equipment Package |
| Dynamic stress checks for structure and equipment packages on an FPSO under wind, swell and FPSO operating conditions | - Static/Dynamic - Random - Transient | - FPSO - Equipment Package |
| Lifting scenarios for equipment packages | - Static/Dynamic | - Equipment Package |
| Code Compliance | - Static/Dynamic - Random - Transient | - All |
| Potential for elevated whole body vibration due to nearby reciprocating equipment | - Dynamic | - Structure - Equipment Package |
| Structural analysis for a belt conveyor system | - Static/Dynamic | - Conveyor |