Horizontal tank after modification
Shell strength of an existing GOST tank checked after modification, along with lifting lug capacity. Safer lugs were designed off the result.
Work examples
The question, and what the analysis settled.
Engineering problems our engineers have worked through. Client names and project details stay out of it: most of this work sits under confidentiality.
Corroded tank roof carrying new equipment
Capacity of a corroded roof to take new equipment was assessed; the roof was reinforced with new columns rather than risking collapse.
Cutting an opening in a corroded shell
Wind loading and shell stresses were modelled to assess the proposed opening for repair work.
Overheating risk in trace heated piping
A thermodynamic model of trace heated lines identified the overheating risk and informed measures to reduce the risk of caustic stress corrosion cracking.
Mixing efficiency with close nozzles
Flow analysis confirmed that inlet and outlet nozzles placed close together would not short circuit, and the tank contents mix through the volume.
Flange joints beyond the simplified check
Where the simplified ASME check did not pass, a detailed analysis of the joints was carried out, which avoided re-routing piping in a congested brownfield area.
Allowable loads for new nozzles
Allowable loads were established for new nozzles on an existing tank, with the shell stresses assessed against them.
Trunnion capacity outside the standard case
Where the standard calculation did not apply, trunnion capacity was verified directly, which optimised the layout and cut material.
Anchor support built from the wrong steel
The actual capacity of a support made from incorrect material was determined, and it was replaced on safety grounds.
A support not rated for winter
Thermal analysis of a support made from steel outside its temperature rating assessed the brittle fracture risk during winter operation.
Hydrotest water heating in cold weather
Temperature distribution in a water tank with a steam coil was modelled to assess the proposed test procedure.
Lifting a generator frame
Stresses in the frame and its trunnions during the lift showed that it had to be lifted element by element to avoid failure.
Beam to column moment connection
A critical connection in a multi storey steel building was checked at maximum load, with bolts and welds brought to requirement without over engineering.
Lateral buckling of a hot subsea flowline
Global buckling behaviour under operating loads was predicted, the buckle location and shape identified, and stresses stayed within limits without costly mitigation.
Vibration risk in gas piping
Flow and acoustically induced vibration assessment, supported by natural frequency analysis, located the fatigue risk and fixed small bore connections and bracing.
Uneven temperature in a cold room
Airflow and thermal distribution in a pharmaceutical cold store were visualised, and the fix was a targeted diffuser adjustment rather than new equipment.
Hazardous gas dispersion and consequences
A release at a petrochemical facility was modelled against the plant layout and weather data, which informed detector placement and the emergency response plan.
Crack growth in a gear tooth
Fracture mechanics analysis estimated fatigue life from an existing tooth-root flaw and informed the inspection interval.
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