API 579-1 Part 14 Fatigue Assessments Using INSPECT

Fatigue is defined as a failure mechanism that involves cracking due to cyclic (or fluctuating) stress.  Stresses may be either tensile, compressive or torsional.  Cracking is typically caused by tensile mechanical stresses that are accompanied by another mechanism such as structural damage or corrosion.  As mentioned in numerous references, it is worth noting that fatigue failures can happen at stresses below the yield strength of the material.

INSPECT includes support for performing API 579 Part 14 Fatigue Assessments.  Its ability to quickly model complete vessels makes adding a Fatigue Assessment very simple.  INSPECT’s fatigue assessment scans the vessel for other flaw types and allows the user to adjust the “remaining strength factor” (RSF) as required by API 579.

Images describing all cyclic load inputs are provided.  This helps users determine which equipment histogram data to include in the assessment.

An API 579 Part 14 Fatigue Screening Assessment in INSPECT

Professional Part 14 Reports

Easy to read, professional looking reports are provided for INSPECT Part 14 assessments.  A convenient Fatigue Summary report is available for quick review.

A Part 14 Fatigue Assessment Summary Report in INSPECT

Detailed Fatigue Reports Are Provided

INSPECT creates detailed Fatigue Assessment reports for each component analyzed.  Nozzles often govern the fatigue life of pressure vessels and INSPECT makes it easy to find the governing component.  An example Part 14 nozzle report (right) and fatigue curve (below) are shown here.

A Part 14 Fatigue Assessment Curve in INSPECT
A Part 14 Fatigue Assessment Detail Report in INSPECT

Increase Your Capabilities With INSPECT

API 579 Part 3 Ensure your operating procedures limit the risk of brittle fracture by automatically running Part 3 assessments. API 579 Part 4 & 5 Perform general and local metal loss assessments and quickly generate detailed reports. API 579 Part 6 INSPECT performs level 1, 2 and 3 pitting assessments and generates detailed API 579 reports with a click of a button. API 579 Part 7 Perform Level 1 and 2 assessments from Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) and Hydrogen Blister damage. API 579 Part 8 Ensure that vessels subject to external pressure are within the allowed roundness tolerance with out-of-roundness assessments. API 579 Part 9 Level 1 and 2 assessments quickly determine which crack-like flaws can be safely left in service and which require more investigation. API 579 Part 10 Perform creep damage assessments by recording equipment operating histories and calculations. API 579 Part 11 Perform fire damage assessments and document conclusions in a consistent series of data entries and reports. API 579 Part 12 Perform Part 12 assessments and generate detailed API 579 reports. Level 1 and 2 dent, gouge and dent-gouge combinations are available. API 579 Part 13 Model laminations and provide rapid results so you can make the necessary mediation decisions with confidence API 579 Part 14 INSPECT’s fatigue assessment scans the vessel for other flaw types and allows the user to adjust the “remaining strength factor” (RSF) as required by API 579. API 510 Address in-service activities such as inspection, remaining life determination and repair. API 570 3D inspection data management and calculations simplify compliance with the requirements of the API-570 Code. API 653 Track tank thickness inspection measurements and provide calculation reports. Gage Integration Set up and retrieve inspection grids from thickness gages fast and easy. OSHA 1910 Meet the Mechanical Integrity requirements of OSHA1910.119 (j) and EPA Title 40 part 68.73. Undocumented Vessels Pressure Vessel Inspection Code requires owners to maintain permanent, progressive records as listed in API 510 Section 7.8 The INSPECT IDMS Show condition monitoring locations (CML’s) and API 579-1 flaws directly on pressure equipment models. Auto-Refrigeration MAT curves are employed to determine which process conditions put equipment at risk of failure by brittle fracture. Old ASME® Codes Supported Increase vessel life automatically by using the higher allowable stresses per NBIC Section 3.4. Pressure Relieving Devices Easily model pressure relieving devices (PRDs) on your fixed equipment. Excel Integration Export and import thickness inspection grids to and from Microsoft Excel. API 579-1 Part 3 MAT Curves API 510 API 570 API 653 Storage Tank Evaulations Thickness Gage Integration in INSPECT OSHA standards in COMPRESS Undocumented Vessels in INSPECT Inspection Data Monitoring System IDMS API 579 Part 9 Codes menu Combined Pitting and Local Metal Loss Flaws are Considered API 579-1 Part 12 dialog INSPECT performs API 579 FFS assessments and shows flaws on the 3D model Minimum Safe Operating Temperature (MSOT) curve in INSPECT API 579-1 Part 10 Creep Damage API 579-1 Part 11 Fire Damage Assessments API 579-1 Part 8 Out of Roundness Easily model pressure relieving devices (PRDs) with INSPECT Excel Integration with INSPECT API 579-1 Part 7 Hydrogen Cracking and Blister Damage API 579-1 Part 13 Lamination Diagram API 579 Part 14 Fatigue - Pressure Fluctuation Cycle