MAD3 Engineering (formerly Deacon Engineers) performed life assessment and proposed periodic inspections to extend the life of Stacker.
Scope Of Work
- Install strain gauges on Stacker for measurement of in-service loads.
- Source site data from Owner and use together with the strain data collected to construct a load profile representing a few months of actual in-use loading of the stacker.
- Construct an analysis model of the entire stacker based on Owner-supplied drawings.
- Apply the constructed load profile to the analysis model using fatigue analysis software ‘fe-safe’.
- Construct detailed models of the fatigue critical regions identify, and carry-out fatigue life assessment in these regions.
- If required, design suitable repairs assessed using the analysis methods detailed above.
Project Challenges
- Probabilistic nature of fatigue analysis.
- Loading only measured recently – does not account for changes in loading in the past (e.g. lower capacity, wear in components over time).
How We Managed This
- The worst-case locations for fatigue were identified.
- In places where fatigue life <100 years, periodic inspections were recommended.
