Finite Element Analysis

Finite Element Analysis is a key component to determining stresses within a piece of equipment (single beam or entire pressure vessel). FEA as it can be called has been used in processes as complex as entire multi kilometer piping sections to determine critical points and/or points of interest.

Using FEA can allow for days worth of calculations on stresses to be determined in a matter of hours on critical elements. This can save both time and lives when it comes to the types of work most of RAE Engineering and Inspection Ltd. clients are involved in.

 

 

Case Study:  Lateral Tee Registration

 

RAE Engineering and Inspection Ltd. was requested by their client to carry out a jurisdictional design registration for a lateral tee manufactured in Europe. The client was replacing an existing Latrolet with a Lateral Tee. The Manufacturer supplied the statutory declaration, quality control documents, a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) report, and code verifications normally required for the design registration process. RAE Engineering and Inspection Ltd. verified the design and submitted the package to the Jurisdiction for registration. The client requested the process be expedited in order to meet the shutdown schedule.

 

 

Statutory Declaration:

The statutory declaration was received from the European Manufacturer. RAE Engineering and Inspection Ltd. made clarifications on the declaration and requested that the Jurisdictional Authority accept the declaration to expedite the registration process in order to meet the shutdown schedule.

 

 

Finite Element Analysis (FEA):

 

According to jurisdiction requirements, the design required additional verification (such as Finite Element Analysis, a Proof Test, etc.) along with the appropriate code calculation. The jurisdictional requirements for the FEA assessment mandates that all FEA reports must follow specific reporting guidelines and must be stamped by a practicing North American Professional Engineer. The FEA report received from the European Manufacturer was neither stamped by a Professional Engineer, nor did it meet the reporting requirements of the Jurisdictional Authority, and was consequently rejected.

 

As per the client's request, RAE Engineering and Inspection Ltd. performed its own Finite Element Analysis with licensed SolidWorks simulation software on the lateral tee. The Finite Element Analysis was carried out based on the information supplied by the European Manufacturer. A FEA report was prepared as per the Jurisdictional Authority’s requirements and was stamped by an in-house Professional Engineer.

 

Registration Approval:

All the revised documents were submitted to the required Jurisdictional Authorities. The design of the lateral tee was accepted and approved in time and the shutdown schedule was not affected.