Launchpad, May - June 2003
For a full list of proposed, active and closed projects see here
The significance of intermetallic and nitride precipitates in duplex stainless steels - outstanding issues
Launched: March 03
Cost per sponsors: £3 000. (Buy back £7 500)
Project Leader: Andrew Leonard
A previous GSP showed no correlation between the results from different test houses in determining the intermetallic and nitride content in duplex stainless steels. This project aims to establish whether these intermetallic phases can be correctly identified by each of the participants. Issues of sample preparation and etching will be negated and it will be possible to identify any systematic problem areas in phase identification.
Fatigue damage to riser girth welds from low stresses in the loading spectrum
Launched: April 2003
Cost per sponsor: £25 000 pa, two payments
Project Leader: Steve Maddox
The recent TWI Group Sponsored Project (GSP) 'Fatigue performance of girth welds made from one side' (5680) provided a valuable database from fatigue tests of full-scale risers fabricated by a number of the major pipeline welding companies. Much was learnt about the factors that influence the fatigue lives of girth welds and justified the use of higher design S-N curves than those used previously. Further work is now proposed. It will address the urgent problem of how best to apply those S-N curves in the design of SCRs subjected to spectrum loading, including Miner's rule, when applied to the use of stresses below the fatigue limit. It will also look at how such stresses contribute to the fatigue damage from wave motion and vortex-induced vibration in SCRs.
Evaluation of low stress non-distortion welding
Launched: March 2003
Cost per sponsor: £12 500 pa, two payments
Project Leader: Dan Bertaso
A major problem in welds in thin materials made using the conventional arc welding processes is the control of buckling distortion. Remedial measures applied either prior to or after welding can account for up to 25% of manufacturing labour cost. Low stress non-distortion (LSND) welding is a method for in-process control of welding stress and distortion. This is a non-intrusive method, the crux of which is the application of a cooling medium in close proximity to the welding arc. The aim of the project is to demonstrate the capability of the LSND process for a range of materials, joint types and applications.
Maintenance benchmarking for process industries - the development of an integrated practice
Launched: March 2003
Cost per sponsor: £12 500 pa, two payments
Project Leader: Robert Gray
Process industries have recently focused on their maintenance strategies and related costs. To better understand these they have considered Industry Practice Benchmarking. This can only be achieved properly if co-operative participation takes place. Most benchmarking today is too far removed from maintenance to be able to provide any meaningful analysis. This project aims to provide that need by developing a fully quantitative sustainable methodology for Maintenance Benchmarking.
Support for the wider use of ultrasonic phased array technique for weld inspection
Launched: March 03
Cost per sponsor: £15 000 pa, two payments
Project Leader: Robin Shipp
The use of phased array systems is now becoming established as a valuable technique for the ultrasonic inspection of welds. Phased arrays offer potential savings in the cost and time of inspections and improved flexibility in inspection design. But the technique is still relatively new and, unlike more established techniques, is not supported by standards or a large body of experience. This means that development and qualification of any new application has to start from first principles, imposing a high start-up cost.
This project will produce guidelines which will provide a basis for developing phased array inspections and a summary of the evidence on the capability of the technique, to assist in qualification. This will minimise the start-up costs for any new application and thus encourage the wider use of this powerful technique.
