Lockheed Martin has a total net worth of $99.52 billion dollars.
It’s no coincidence that successful companies are also meticulous about safety. Osha studies have shown there’s a direct correlation between safety and profitability.
Getting a pipe stress analysis helps increase safety and untimely prevent breakdowns. Unexpected breakdowns cost you money in several ways.
You’ll have to pay for repairs, productivity will suffer, and there’s a higher risk of employee injuries. This article takes a look at who needs an analysis and how it works.
Who Needs a Pipe Stress Analysis?
The calculation of deflections, terminal reactions, and stresses in pressure vessels and piping can be accomplished with a stress analysis. You’ll also be able to predict different aspects of stresses on your pipes.
Thermal gradients, thermal transients, weights, pressure and bolt-up strain all place stress on your system. High-temperature fluctuations increase the urgency to perform the study.
Another good candidate for analysis is equipment that is sensitive to external loads. Properly tested equipment will reduce your operating and installation costs. You’ll be able to provide a protected workplace with a capacity for efficient production.
Hazards of Improper Designs
Poor designs can cause your pipes to become over-stressed. Major problems will occur down the road if your system wasn’t first crafted correctly in the first place. One small design flaw can end up costing a fortune in repair costs.
Also, improperly structured systems will cost more in the long run to operate. Ineffective construction will mean more system failures, such as broken pipe sections, separated joints or broken welds.
To avoid system failures you need an analysis during the design phase. It’s more cost effective than trying to retroactively fix a design flaw.
How It Works
One effective method is to perform finite element analysis or FEA. Fine elements and computer codes are used to conduct the analysis. Our mechanical engineering consulting service (or pipe stress analysis) will directly analyze stress.
3D solid modeling designs and 2D fabrication drawings are used as reference points. You can provide these models or ask the company you’re using if they offer any type of simulation.
Your existing design can be validated when the study is complete. Engineering coupled with computer codes (CAE) provide load conditions. Tensile compression and shear stress are determined through intricate mathematical models.
These models, or simulations, are extremely helpful at providing a visual representation of the distribution of stress. They show where stress occurs on your parts and assemblies.
With that information in hand, you can determine what areas need to be strengthened. You may need to use new engineering geometries or stronger materials to correct over-stressed points.
In certain cases, you’ll have to completely remove stress if the area is particularly overloaded. Cases like this usually are a result of an improper design phase.
Expert Engineers Solving Stress Analysis
In an industry where safety and productivity are everything, it helps to have a team of experts. Meadows Analysis is committed to helping you with all of your mechanical engineering needs.
Piping systems need to be secure and reliable. Let us help you make sure yours are.
Contact us today to schedule your pipe stress analysis (FEA). You can also visit our blog for more helpful information founded in years of expertise.