Structural and Mechanical Integrity
Structural and mechanical integrity assessments have numerous benefits to an asset integrity management program. This comprehensive assessment methodology is fundamentally provided to:
- Operational and maintenance costs reduction,
- Determination of safety precautions,
- Maintained structural and mechanical integrity of assets,
- Extension of service life and reduction of capital expenditure,
- Compliance of international and local regulation.
Assessment Methods
Hardshield technical department delivers professionally-qualified structural and mechanical integrity analysis techniques including:
- Fitness for Services (FFS),
- Forensic Analysis,
- Advanced Finite Element Analysis,
- Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) Modeling,
- Soil- Structure Interaction (SSI) Modeling,
- Fracture Mechanics,
- Fatigue,
- Weld Stress Modelling and Analysis,
- Advanced Heat Transfer Analysis,
- Structural Fire Engineering,
- Impact, Blast and Shock Analysis,
- Structural Reliability Analysis,
- Probabilistic Risk Assessments.
Applications
Hardshield with a proven track record of providing structural and mechanical integrity justification across multiple highly regulated industries, provides to assure the efficient and safe operation of its assets, through:
- Structural and mechanical integrity assessment of pressure vessels and piping,
- Modelling of welding and heat analysis,
- Examination of the effect of transient temperatures on process plant,
- Investigation and rectification of structural and mechanical failures,
- Fracture mechanics assessment of welded pipes,
- Integrity assessment of high temperature systems,
- Understanding of structural loads, the local stress environment and materials’ behavior.
- Feasibility and concept evaluation studies for novel structures,
- Performance evaluation of blast and fire effects on structures,
- Assessment of environmental and operating conditions promoting progressive damage such as corrosion or fatigue cracking,
- Life extension activities for deteriorating structures,
- Serviceability assessment for damaged structures.
Forensic Structural Engineering
Engineering investigation and evaluation of the causes of structural failures of buildings, bridges and industrial facilities, as well as rendering opinions and giving testimony in judicial proceedings, often referred to as Forensic Structural Engineering, has become a field of professional practice. This comprehensive assessment methodology is fundamentally provided to:
- Determination of the causes of structural failures of buildings,
- Understanding of failure to properly analyze or detail the design or the disregard of codes and standards,
- Investigation of ascertain whether an illegal or improper activity was causative,
- Reviewing and streamlining technical, business, and legal procedures modeled on worldwide practices.
- Understanding of forensic investigation of failures and providing technical support in the consequent dispute resolution process,
- Estimation of how to avoid failures and what the consequences of failures could be,
- Cost estimation and design services for repairs, modifications, and restoration.
Assessment Methods
Hardshield technical department provides engineering services to assist property managers, insurance agencies, contractors, building owners, attorneys, and other clientele with claims and investigations in a diverse range of infrastructure and property failures. The department delivers professionally-qualified forensic structural analysis techniques including:
- Questionnaire survey, case study and literature review,
- Perform destructive tests (core, drilled and steel test, pull-out test, etc.),
- Perform non-destructive tests (rebound hammer, ultrasonic measurement, mechanical impedance, etc.),
- Advanced Finite Element Analysis,
- Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) Modeling,
- Soil- Structure Interaction (SSI) Modeling,
- Structural Fire and Blast Engineering,
- Structural Reliability Analysis,
- Probabilistic Risk Assessments.
Applications
Hardshield with a proven track record of providing forensic structural analysis justification across multiple highly regulated industries, provides to services experience field below;
- Industrial facilities,
- Commercial and residential buildings,
- High-rise condominiums,
- Retaining walls,
- Bridges,
- Warehouses,
- Piers,
- Boardwalks,
- Vaults.