Analysis of Unburied Pipeline Spans

Author(s):  
Lawrence M. Matta ◽  
Rhett Dotson

Support requirements for unburied spans on existing pipelines can be difficult to assess. An approach for investigating the adequacy of support of unburied spans is presented. It begins with a screening based on theoretical longitudinal stress evaluation. An estimate of the allowable free span lengths between supports is calculated, considering the weight of the pipe and its contents, longitudinal stresses from internal pressure, thermal stresses, and steady wind loading. Existing span lengths are compared to the allowable length and any segments exceeding the limit are flagged for further study. Review by finite element analysis and comparison with survey data for the identified spans is then performed. Comparison of the FEA model deflections and survey data can help determine whether “pre-existing stresses” or plastic deformations are present, due, for example, to installation procedures or ground movement. The FEA results provide a factor of safety that can be used to help identify potential safety issues and prioritize mitigation efforts.

Author(s):  
L. M. Boteler ◽  
S. M. Miner

This work presents an easy to use approach to quickly estimate the device temperatures and thermal stresses in a generic high power module. A low order model was developed in MATLAB using a combination of numerical-analytical approach and a 3D nodal resistor network to calculate device temperatures and thermal stresses. The model assumes a heat flux generated at the top of each device which is dissipated through the packaging structure and removed by convection. The temperature distribution is used to calculate thermal stresses throughout the package. This method eliminates computer aided drawings (CAD) in favor of numerical parameters that can be easily and quickly varied over a wide range. The resistor network solves quickly in MATLAB, enabling fast, iterative thermal analyses and design through parametric studies of the chip dimensions, number of chips, chip layout, material types, cooling solutions, etc. The model is adaptable to any number of devices and board layers. The MATLAB model reduced the computational time by 97% compared to an equivalent SOLIDWORKS finite element analysis (FEA) model and that does not include the time required to generate the CAD model and verify mesh convergence and mesh independence. Temperatures from the network model were within 5°C and stresses were within 30% of the values obtained from the FEA model. The ability to quickly assess the thermal and stress effects of a wide variety of power module design parameters during the initial design process, without the complexity of a full FEA analysis, with reasonable results can significantly improve the final module.


1998 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
A. L. A. Costa ◽  
M. Natalini ◽  
M. F. Inglese ◽  
O. A. M. Xavier

Abstract Because the structural integrity of brake systems and tires can be related to the temperature, this work proposes a transient heat transfer finite element analysis (FEA) model to study the overheating in drum brake systems used in trucks and urban buses. To understand the mechanics of overheating, some constructive variants have been modeled regarding the assemblage: brake, rims, and tires. The model simultaneously studies the thermal energy generated by brakes and tires and how the heat is transferred and dissipated by conduction, convection, and radiation. The simulated FEA data and the experimental temperature profiles measured with thermocouples have been compared giving good correlation.


Actuators ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Ming Xu ◽  
Cheng Rong ◽  
Long He

Spiders rely on a hydraulic system to stretch their legs but use muscles to make their legs flex. The compound drive of hydraulics and muscle makes an integrate dexterous structure with powerful locomotion abilities, which perfectly meets the primary requirements of advanced robots. Inspired by this hydraulics-muscle co-drive joint, a novel flexible joint actuator was proposed and its driving characteristics were preliminarily explored. The bio-inspired flexible joint manifested as a double-constrained balloon actuator, which was fabricated by the composite process of 3D printing and casting. To evaluate its performance, the mathematical model was deduced, as well as the finite element analysis (FEA) model. A series of experiments on the rotation angles, driving forces, and efficiencies of the flexible joint were carried out and compared with the mathematical calculations and FEA simulations. The results show that the accuracy of the two theoretical models can be used to assess the joint actuator. The locomotion test of a soft arthropod robot with two flexible joints was also implemented, where the moving speed reached 22 mm/s and the feasibility of the proposed flexible joint applied to a soft robot was demonstrated.


Author(s):  
Xian-Kui Zhu ◽  
Rick Wang

Mechanical dents often occur in transmission pipelines, and are recognized as one of major threats to pipeline integrity because of the potential fatigue failure due to cyclic pressures. With matured in-line-inspection (ILI) technology, mechanical dents can be identified from the ILI runs. Based on ILI measured dent profiles, finite element analysis (FEA) is commonly used to simulate stresses and strains in a dent, and to predict fatigue life of the dented pipeline. However, the dent profile defined by ILI data is a purely geometric shape without residual stresses nor plastic deformation history, and is different from its actual dent that contains residual stresses/strains due to dent creation and re-rounding. As a result, the FEA results of an ILI dent may not represent those of the actual dent, and may lead to inaccurate or incorrect results. To investigate the effect of residual stress or plastic deformation history on mechanics responses and fatigue life of an actual dent, three dent models are considered in this paper: (a) a true dent with residual stresses and dent formation history, (b) a purely geometric dent having the true dent profile with all stress/strain history removed from it, and (c) a purely geometric dent having an ILI defined dent profile with all stress/strain history removed from it. Using a three-dimensional FEA model, those three dents are simulated in the elastic-plastic conditions. The FEA results showed that the two geometric dents determine significantly different stresses and strains in comparison to those in the true dent, and overpredict the fatigue life or burst pressure of the true dent. On this basis, suggestions are made on how to use the ILI data to predict the dent fatigue life.


2007 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 229-232
Author(s):  
Liliana Sandu ◽  
Nicolae Faur ◽  
Cristina Bortun ◽  
Sorin Porojan

Several studies evaluated the removable partial dentures by the finite element analysis, but none of them evaluated thermal stresses. The purpose of the study was to explore the influence of thermal oral changes induced by hot/cold liquids and food on the circumferential cast clasps of removable partial dentures. A 3-dimensional finite element method was used to explore the temperature distribution, thermal stress and the influence of thermal changes on stresses and displacements of circumferential clasps during functions. Thermal variations induce stresses in dental clasps, high temperatures having a more aggressive effect than lower one. Cold liquids and food induce high stresses in the retentive clasp arms while hot ones in the occlusal rests of the clasps and for the back action clasp also in the minor connector. The study suggests the importance of consFigureidering thermal variations for stress analyses of the cast clasps.


Author(s):  
Jaan Taagepera ◽  
Marty Clift ◽  
D. Mike DeHart ◽  
Keneth Marden

Three vessel modifications requiring heat treatment were analyzed prior to and during a planned turnaround at a refinery. One was a thick nozzle that required weld build up. This nozzle had been in hydrogen service and required bake-out to reduce the potential for cracking during the weld build up. Finite element analysis was used to study the thermal stresses involved in the bake-out. Another heat treatment studied was a PWHT of a nozzle replacement. The heat treatment band and temperature were varied with location in order to minimize cost and reduction in remaining strength of the vessel. Again, FEA was used to provide insight into the thermal stress profiles during heat treatment. The fmal heat treatment study was for inserting a new nozzle in a 1-1/4Cr-1/2Mo reactor. While this material would ordinarily require PWHT, the alteration was proposed to be installed without PWHT. Though accepted by the Jurisdiction, this nozzle installation was ultimately cancelled.


Author(s):  
Irene Garcia Garcia ◽  
Radoslav Stefanovic

Equipment that is exposed to severe operational pressure and thermal cycling, like coke drums, usually suffer fatigue. As a result, equipment of this sort develop defects such as cracking in the circumferential welds. Operating companies are faced with the challenges of deciding what is the best way to prevent these defects, as well as determining how long they could operate if a defect is discovered. This paper discusses a methodology for fracture mechanics testing of coke drum welds, and calculations of the critical crack size. Representative samples are taken from production materials, and are welded employing production welding procedures. The material of construction is 1.25Cr-0.5Mo low alloy steel conforming to ASME SA-387 Gr 11 Class 2 in the normalized and tempered condition (N&T). Samples from three welding procedures (WPS) are tested: one for production, one for a repair with heat treatment, and one for repair without heat treatment. The position and orientation of test specimen are chosen based on previous surveys and operational experience on similar vessels that exhibited cracks during service. Fracture mechanics toughness testing is performed. Crack finite element analysis (FEA) model is used to determine the path-independed JI-integral driving force. Methodology for the determination of critical crack size is developed.


1980 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Blevins

The elastic thermal stresses in a welded transition between two pipes of the same size but different alloys are explored. A stress-free temperature is postulated and the stress due to a uniform change in temperature is characterized by the maximum stress intensity in the weld. A simple expression for predicting this maximum stress intensity is developed based on the results of finite element analysis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Hamian ◽  
Andrew M. Gauffreau ◽  
Timothy Walsh ◽  
Jungchul Lee ◽  
Keunhan Park

This paper reports the frequency-dependent electrothermal behaviors of a freestanding doped-silicon heated microcantilever probe operating under periodic (ac) Joule heating. We conducted a frequency-domain finite-element analysis (FEA) and compared the steady periodic solution with 3ω experiment results. The computed thermal transfer function of the cantilever accurately predicts the ac electrothermal behaviors over a full spectrum of operational frequencies, which could not be accomplished with the 1D approximation. In addition, the thermal transfer functions of the cantilever in vacuum and in air were compared, through which the frequency-dependent heat transfer coefficient of the air was quantified. With the developed FEA model, design parameters of the cantilever (i.e., the size and the constriction width of the cantilever heater) and their effects on the ac electrothermal behaviors were carefully investigated. Although this work focused on doped-Si heated microcantilever probes, the developed FEA model can be applied for the ac electrothermal analysis of general microelectromechanical systems.


1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2219-2222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y-L. Shen

Numerical results on the evolution of thermal stresses in multilevel interconnects are presented. Two levels of aluminum lines with an aspect ratio of unity, aligned vertically or arranged in a staggered manner, are considered by recourse to the finite element analysis. The stresses are found to be significantly higher in the lower-level lines than in the upper-level lines, for both the aligned and staggered arrangements. The stress magnitudes are generally smaller in lines of staggered arrangement, compared to the case of aligned lines. Implications of the present findings are discussed, with directions of future studies highlighted.


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