© Dynaflow Research Group BV
From failure analysis to failure prevention
DRG » Fiberglass Consulting » Design & Analysis
Many different aspects need to be considered for the design of a fiberglass system. Our Design and Analysis Services consist, specifically tailored to fiberglass piping, the following:
Pipe Wall Thickness Calculations
Pipe Stress Analysis
Buried Piping Analysis
Surge Analysis
Dynamic Stress Analysis
Product Development
When you as a manufacturer wants to set up a new product line DRG can assist in the design of components like flanges and fittings, but we can also assist in preparation of a qualification- and QA/QC test plan or ”Inspection Test Plan” (ITP).
With our in-depth knowledge of the materials properties of the components used in a composite pipe, like glass fibers and resin, we can also assist to find the optimum selection of raw materials to meet the application requirements. There is a large variety of resin type and glass fiber type available on the market that all have their specific strengths and weaknesses like maximum operating temperature, chemical resistance, mechanical stiffness and mechanical strength. The envisaged application area therefore often dictates the selection of the raw materials.
In spite of standardization, most pipe manufacturers have their own proprietary joint systems. Over the last 30 years we have designed systems with pipes supplied by various manufacturers like National Oilwell Varco (Ameron, Centron, Star), Future Pipe Industries, Amiantit, Sarplast, Plasticon, CPI. We are familiar with their specific pipe and components catalogue and can help you to specify and select properly qualified materials.
For the joints, both mechanical and adhesive bonded systems are available. Adhesive bonded systems require special attention in hot climates like the Middle East as e.g. the pot life will vary with temperature. Total working time to complete a joint depends also on diameter of the pipe to be jointed.
Most of the FRP-related codes are performance-based codes that require proof of the strength of the final component. The capability of components needs to be proven with the use of pressure testing. The objective of the qualification procedure is to verify the proposed qualified pressure of each component.
For large diameter components the costs of qualification can be reduced by performing FEA (Finite Element Analysis). To get accurate FEA-results an FEA of a benchmark qualification test is performed to determine acceptable material stresses and strain. A modified but similar geometry can then be accurately optimized using FEA-tools such as FE/Pipe, Creo or Ansys. This optimization using software reduces the amount of failed qualification tests and thus the cost for the qualification.
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© Dynaflow Research Group BV