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Structural integrity is a function of a structure or component’s ability to withstand in-service loading, resisting failure by fracture, deformation, buckling and collapse, or fatigue.
QinetiQ has extensive experience in assessing complex loading and both static and dynamic loads as well as thermal and shock stresses, and we apply a wide range of skills to provide insightful and informed structural integrity analysis.
Relevant standards include BS 7910, BS 7608, BS EN 1993-1-9, and PD5500.
QinetiQ has a track record of developing and applying bespoke non-destructive evaluation (NDE) procedures that accurately determine the size of flaws and fulfil the requirements of an engineering critical assessment (ECA).
QinetiQ delivers expert advice and consultancy services in all areas of NDE. These include guidance on advanced ultrasonic techniques and inspection methods for marine composites as well as development of ‘fitness-for-purpose’ fracture mechanics using weld defect acceptance criteria, through-life methodologies, defect and crack growth monitoring and critical NDE. We also provide guidance on weld repair options, technical training in advanced ultrasonic and in the inspection of complex weld geometries.
QinetiQ provides guidance on suitable in-service inspection regimes, NDE techniques and procedures for both metallic and composites structures. Our experience of developing fitness-for-purpose weld defect acceptance criteria has included one of the most complex engineering constructions in the world as well as determining critical flaw sizes under ECA assessments. Training, demonstrations, auditing of external NDE reports and peer review of design calculations (FE and hand-calculations) are all provided to customers.
QinetiQ provides expert guidance and testing of composite structures. Using the Hyperbaric Trial Unit (HTU) allows testing of composite panels that will be used for deep sea structures prior to conducting sea trials which delivers substantial cost savings to platform operators and equipment suppliers.
QinetiQ provides expert guidance and application of advanced ultrasonic NDE, utilising ultrasonic time-of-flight diffraction (ToFD) and phased array (PA) techniques. These techniques, when utilised with a ‘fitness-for-purpose’ fracture mechanics weld defect acceptance criteria, can be applied in-lieu of radiography, significantly reducing costs and the health and safety issues associated with ionising radiation, whilst increasing productivity.
Optimisation / ‘Design of Experiments’ software has been used to generate parametric assessments of the effects of shape imperfections on pressure hull response; fluid-structure interaction effects have been included in the analysis of grounding at depth and can be used to derive hydrodynamic loads; and the X-FEM fracture mechanics methodology has been used to assess cracking and is being extended to the modelling of fatigue crack growth.