The American Petroleum Institute has awarded a contract to DNV GL, the technical advisor to the oil and gas industry, for the full-scale S-N fatigue testing of large diameter bolts. The objective of the program is to improve fatigue assessments of critical bolted connections particularly in subsea applications by generating new test data, DNV GL said in a press release.
Enhanced knowledge of fatigue performance will enable cost effective designs ensuring safe operations of critical equipment.
This testing will take place within DNV GL’s global laboratory network involving its sites in Columbus, OH and Norway, which provide extensive corrosion expertise and the ability to test up to capacities of 7500 kN. These laboratories have key subject matter experts in the areas of fatigue of subsea equipment, bolting connections, cathodic protection and instrumented tests.
The program will be performed in a strictly controlled environment. The tests will be highly instrumented to record the number of cycles, stresses, strains, current, pH and oxygen level. The testing is scheduled to be completed by late 2019.
The new test data will be shared on DNV GL’s digital platform Veracity throughout the program. Veracity provides a secure platform for sharing not only key findings and test images, but all logging data with the API project team so they can monitor tests and carry out independent analyses.
About DNV GL
DNV GL is a global quality assurance and risk management company.