Fit-for-Service assessments
KEMA's Fit-for Service assessments give insight into the necessity of replacing components that show signs of creep or fatigue or that show defects/cracks
"Repair or replace?" A short time ago these were the only two possibilities available for a defect pressurized component. Actually, in many cases a small defect is allowable, if the detected defect is smaller than the critical size determined by fracture mechanics. The combination of modern non-destructive testing technology, material science and fracture mechanics is the so-called Fit-for-Service (FfS) approach. FfS assessments deal with the decision procedure ‘run-repair-replace’ for components with defects, resulting in answers to the following questions:
• What is the critical defect dimension in this specific situation?
• What period of safe operation do I have left?
• Do I have a “leak before break” (LBB) or “break before leak” situation (BBL)?
FfS findings tell you how long an acute repair or replacement decision may reasonably postponed. They also ensure you that the technical service life has been fully utilized. FfS analyses are conducted in accordance with the British Standard BS 7910, minimum material data is provided by DIN. KEMA creates a three-dimensional finite element model using ANSYS.
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