Plant Integrity Assessment and Fitness for Service Are you concerned about the reliability of your plant? Our engineers have extensive knowledge of the likely deteroration mechanisms in plant and use a range of techniques to ensure plant is fit for service: measurement and calculation of stressing conditions fracture mechanics assessments fracture toughness testing critical defect sizing and minimum thickness calculations crack growth rate analysis in fatigue, creep- fatigue failure mode assessment, leak-before-burst piping systems support loads and stressing We operate sophisticated 3D finite element analysis software to determine the stresses in structures and components of complex geometries. The analysis makes allowances for creep relaxation and cracking and is applied to single components and integrated systems. The distribution of stress, strain and temperature within a structure and their variation with time is calculated from the finite element models. Plant failures result from overload, fatigue, propagation of cracks, creep deformation or various combinations of these processes often complicated by corrosion activity. HRL Technology has a range of assessment packages covering fracture mechanics, fatigue and creep to determine the significance of known defects in components and structures. We use a run-repair-replace strategy to assess the severity of defects, to specify criteria for acceptance of plant during inspection and compliance with design codes. HRL Technology is registered to verify the design of pressure equipment and we can assist in obtaining or upgrading the registration of pressure equipment. For further information contact Dick Coldham on 03 9565 9888 (International +61 3 9565 9888) or Bruce Ham on 03 5132 1500 (International +61 3 5132 1500) or click on the contacts button below.