Acoustic emission monitoring provides three key benefits for inspecting offshore structures:
1) It allows for 100% volumetric inspection of critical structural elements to enhance safety and reliability.
2) It can detect crack initiation and monitor growth in real-time while the structure is in service.
3) Information on crack location and growth rate is used to schedule necessary remedial work and minimize disruption.
Acoustic emission monitoring provides three key benefits for inspecting offshore structures:
1) It allows for 100% volumetric inspection of critical structural elements to enhance safety and reliability.
2) It can detect crack initiation and monitor growth in real-time while the structure is in service.
3) Information on crack location and growth rate is used to schedule necessary remedial work and minimize disruption.
Acoustic emission monitoring provides three key benefits for inspecting offshore structures:
1) It allows for 100% volumetric inspection of critical structural elements to enhance safety and reliability.
2) It can detect crack initiation and monitor growth in real-time while the structure is in service.
3) Information on crack location and growth rate is used to schedule necessary remedial work and minimize disruption.
Acoustic emission monitoring provides three key benefits for inspecting offshore structures:
1) It allows for 100% volumetric inspection of critical structural elements to enhance safety and reliability.
2) It can detect crack initiation and monitor growth in real-time while the structure is in service.
3) Information on crack location and growth rate is used to schedule necessary remedial work and minimize disruption.
Enhance safety and operational reliability by providing
100% volumetric inspection of the critical structural elements predicted by the statutory Fatigue Design Assessment (FDA) Detect crack initiation and rate of growth while the vessel is in service Intervene only when significant acoustic emission hot spots are detected. Schedule remedial work to minimise service disruption
There now exists:
Fundamental understanding of the mechanics of crack growth on a micro-scale, as the basis for the interpretation of AE results. Industry standard intrinsically safe equipment and distributed processing for cost effective installation AE detection algorithms with a proven record of reliability on offshore installations. Standards for the measurement and interpretation of results and the qualification of personnel
Comparison of Magnitude 4 events on the
Richter and AE Event Magnitude Scales. Parameter
Seismic event
Acoustic event
fracture event area
100m x 100m 100m x 100m
fracture velocity
500m/s
250m/s
characteristic time
0.2sec
0.4s
characteristic freq.
2.5Hz
1.25MHz
wavelength (press.)
2km
4mm
Microstructure of a fatigue crack in a
medium strength steel
Threshold stress intensity factor for
crack growth Kth
If the initial defect can create a stress intensity at the crack tip such that = y (the yield strength) at r = l (the threshold plastic zone size for local fracture instability), then the crack will propagate in steps l given by
Kth y( l ) E( d1).
Calculated alternating stress intensity factor K as a
function of cycles to failure for a ferrite-pearlite steel
Mechanics of fracture on a micro-scale
Under cyclic stress clusters of atomic imperfections occur at intervals given by: typically 10m x 4m2cl2d13/3h3 The strain hardened zone grows by this plastic deformation process to its threshold size given by: typically 100m l d1E2 / y2 At this point the crack advances suddenly through the embrittled zone with velocity: typically 250m/s vf (u/) Each crack jump is accompanied by acoustic emission with characteristic frequency given by: typically 1.25MHz c = vf /2l and stress-wave amplitude given by: ui(r)|max = (3/64) / rciE
Longitudinal (pressure) and transverse (shear)
wave lobes from a micro-fracture event Scruby and Wadley have produced the following analytical solutions for the displacement amplitudes of the transverse and longitudinal stress-waves in a half space at distance r from a micro-fracture event of area a :
ui(r)|max = (3/64) / r ci E where P = y a vf is the Acoustic Power of the explosive micro-fracture event (watts).
Relationship between acoustic emission activity and
change in crack area for medium strength steel. V (e) (Volts) 1.E+06
1.E+05
j= n
V (e) j =1
= 0.25 a
where a is in mm 2
1.E+04
1.E+03
1.E+02
1.E+01
1.E+00
Minimum Detectable Fatigue Crack is typically 10mm 1mm using a detectability '' of 30dB
1.E-01
1.E-02 1.E-01
1.E+00
1.E+01
1.E+02
1.E+03
1.E+04
1.E+05
1.E+06 2 a (mm )
Determination of crack status from the change
in crack area estimated from the AE power.
AE data base on fatigue in full scale node
joints simulating North Sea wave loading
Typical acoustic emission signals at different
distances from the source event in a tubular steel node joint
2nd HIT SENSOR
3rd HIT SENSOR
4th HIT SENSOR
1st HIT SENSOR
AE amplitude distributions at different stages of crack growth
Grading the sources of AE
according to signal amplitude.
Industry standard black box AE and Strain
data acquisition unit.
Illustration of the use of coarse and fine resolution delta-T
space filters to resolve crack growth and fluid noise
Location of AE sources from a fatigue crack in an
access window measured at different times (a) in plan and (b) projected onto the weld line
Why use Acoustic Emission Monitoring
on Offshore Structures?
Case Study 1 - fatigue crack detection in jack-up
and floating production platforms Global surveillance of critical load path areas e.g. complete leg segments, leg-hull locking supports and leg-spud can connections Monitoring during jacking, towing and operation An in-service measure of physical damage in terms of increase in crack growth area.
Close-up of sub-sea AE sensor
AE Installation on a Steel Tower Structure
AE sensors attached to a node joint
The installation of AE and strain sensors on the inside of a
subsea tubular brace of a floating production unit
Typical tanker hull with acoustic emission
sensors installed at fatigue sensitive areas. Data acquisition unit located in wheel house or control room
Potential sites for
fatigue cracks Signals related to monitoring station
Satellite dish to relay data for further evaluation
Location of acoustic emissions sensors
Tanker hull structure
Bulkhead
Moonpool
Mooring system
FPSO turret
Case study 2: Sensor positions A, B, C and D
on a crane slewring bearing
AE generated from damaged inner raceway as it passed
through the load zone at low speed (clock pos. 5 to 6)
LR Innovative Technology
In Conclusion: Acoustic Emission Monitoring Offers Remote non-invasive Enables you to:
inspection
Continuous global surveillance
Hear cracks propagating anywhere in the structure. Response to fatigue and SCC cracks Determine their structural significance using real time information Location and severity of cracks supplied by the structure. A means of reducing uncertainty in Benefit years of experience in acoustic engineering crackfrom life20prediction applications. Ability to determine when to intervene to minimise maintenance costs
Development of Acoustic Emission Technology For Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis of Rotating Machines: Bearings, Pumps, Gearboxes, Engines, and Rotating Structures
PDF Solution Manual for Microbiology: An Introduction, 13th Edition, Gerard J. Tortora, Berdell R. Funke, Christine L. Case Derek Weber Warner Bair download
Development of Acoustic Emission Technology For Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis of Rotating Machines: Bearings, Pumps, Gearboxes, Engines, and Rotating Structures
PDF Solution Manual for Microbiology: An Introduction, 13th Edition, Gerard J. Tortora, Berdell R. Funke, Christine L. Case Derek Weber Warner Bair download
