Non-destructive Mechanical Performance Assessment of Damaged Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the mechanical performance of damaged structures, such as pipelines or tanks, require destructive testing or immediate shutdown, as existing standards are overly conservative, leading to unnecessary replacement of structures that can still function safely.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive method that involves geometrically characterizing the damaged structure, modeling a test body and test wall, simulating deformation to match the damaged shape, and calculating the stress state and mechanical performance, allowing for in situ assessment of a structure's ability to withstand mechanical stress without altering it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If destructive testing or immediate replacement is used to determine mechanical performance of damaged structures, then reliability of assessment is improved, but productivity and loss of time worsen due to unnecessary shutdowns and replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy (virtual model) of the damaged structure that replicates its geometric and mechanical characteristics. This virtual model is then subjected to simulated loading conditions to assess mechanical performance, eliminating the need for physical destructive testing or shutdowns while maintaining assessment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical mechanical testing systems with computational mechanics simulations. Instead of applying physical loads to actual structures (which requires shutdowns and may cause damage), numerical methods simulate stress states and deformation behaviors to determine mechanical performance
2Reliability
If conservative standards are applied to damaged structures, then safety is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to unnecessary replacement of functional structures
Solution Approach 1:
By creating accurate digital replicas of damaged structures with precise geometric characterization of defects, the method enables realistic simulation of stress states without relying on conservative standardized assumptions, thereby avoiding unnecessary replacements of structures that remain safe
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the assessment parameters from standardized conservative limits to actual structure-specific parameters derived from detailed geometric characterization and simulation, allowing for more accurate determination of remaining mechanical performance and avoiding unnecessary replacements
3Measurement precision
If detailed geometric characterization and simulation modeling are performed, then measurement precision of mechanical performance is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copying and modeling techniques to create virtual representations of complex structures, which can be analyzed through simulation without requiring complex physical testing apparatus. The digital model captures geometric details and material properties, enabling precise mechanical performance assessment through computational methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital model as an intermediary between the physical damaged structure and the mechanical performance assessment. This intermediary captures the essential geometric and mechanical characteristics, allowing complex simulations to be performed on the digital representation rather than requiring complex physical testing setups
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable determination of mechanical performance parameters like burst pressure without destructive testing, keeping the structure operational and reducing unnecessary replacements by accurately simulating deformation and stress states, thus extending the life of damaged infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
damage to the structure has caused the wall to change from an initial shape to a damaged shape
Implementation Method 2
calculating a deformed test wall and a stress state related to the deformation
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 3c~3d
AI summary
A method is disclosed for determining a mechanical performance parameter of a structure in which damage has caused a wall of the structure to change from an initial shape to a damaged shape. The method comprising performing measurements for geometrically characterizing an external surface of the damaged shape; modeling a test body comprising a surface substantially identical to the external surface of the damaged shape in the given area wherein the test body matches the external surface of the damaged shape; modeling a test wall having a portion of a shape substantially identical to the initial shape; calculating a deformed test wall and a stress state related to the deformation, the deformation (8a) of the test wall being caused by a relative displacement of the test body and the test wall, the relative displacement being configured to give the deformed test wall an external surface substantially identical to the external surface of the damaged shape; and evaluating mechanical performance of the deformed test wall.