CIAM Lunch & Learn presentations on the proximity of welds in a structure and process systems can have an impact on the management of the asset's integrity.
In industrial contexts, such as onshore and offshore oil and gas production and process facilities (e.g., topside piping, subsea pipelines, structural elements, etc.) wind turbine towers, shipbuilding, steel bridges, etc., welds play a crucial role in joining materials together. When these welds are fabricated in close proximity to each other, several factors come into play that can affect asset integrity management.
- Heat Affected Zone (HAZ): Welding generates heat, which affects the material around the weld. When multiple welds are close together, the cumulative heat can lead to a larger Heat Affected Zone. This altered zone might have different mechanical properties, making it susceptible to cracking or other forms of degradation.
- Residual Stress: Welding introduces residual stresses in the material. Close proximity of welds can lead to overlapping residual stresses, potentially creating areas of high stress concentration. Over time, these areas can be more prone to fatigue and failure.
- Corrosion Susceptibility: The presence of multiple welds close to each other can create crevices where moisture and corrosive agents can accumulate. This can accelerate corrosion, leading to a decrease in the structural integrity of the asset.
- Inspection Challenges: Inspecting welds in close proximity can be challenging. Limited access and overlapping weld beads can obstruct the view during inspections, making it difficult to assess the quality of individual welds.
- Structural Integrity Assessment: Engineers and asset managers need to consider the collective impact of closely spaced welds on the overall structural integrity of the asset. Advanced techniques such as finite element analysis might be required to accurately assess the structural behavior.
- Repair and Maintenance: If issues are identified in closely spaced welds, repair and maintenance efforts become more complex. Accessing and repairing these areas might require specialized techniques and skilled labor.
In summary, this seminar focuses on managing asset integrity in the presence of welds fabricated at close proximity and on the necessity for careful consideration of these factors. Proper design, welding techniques, inspection methods, and maintenance strategies are essential to ensure the long-term reliability and safety of the asset.
About the presenter:
Dr. R.M. Chandima Ratnayake is a Professor (in Mechanical Engineering) (100%) in the Department of Mechanical &Structural Engineering and Materials Science (IMBM), University of Stavanger (UiS), Norway, where he has been since 2006. Professor Ratnayake is also a Senior Technical Integrity Management Advisor, Wood Group Integrity Management, Wood, Norway AS. Also served as a visiting professor, Center for Offshore (Civil) Engineering, University of Petronas, Malaysia and Teacher/advisor - Centre for Advanced and Professional Education (CAPE). He also served as a visiting professor Department of Process Engineering, Memorial University, St. John's NL Canada, as a 'Maintenance Engineering Specialist' (20%) in ApplySørco, AS, Norway, and as a 'Senior Engineer' in AkerSolutions Offshore Partner, Stavanger, Norway.
The Lunch & Learn seminar is free for members of CIAM, UiS employees and students and for employees in companies which are member of CIAM. For non-members, if you would like to attend and receive an invitation, please E-mail odd.t.hoie@uis.no