Chain Component | Assessing Components in Series
In This Article
The Material ECA Chain component is a Utility component that allows any number of Material ECA components, including Group and other Chain components, to be processed together in series, such that the initial flaw for one component is the final flaw from the previous component.
The topics are covered in this article include the following:
- Overview
- Example Application of a Chain Component
- Creating a New Chain Component
- Running a Chain Component and Viewing the Results
- Running the Solver on a Chain Component
Overview
The Chain component can contain any number of Material ECA components of any type. When the Chain is run, it takes an initial flaw. The first component in the Chain uses that initial flaw, processes it, and passes the final flaw to the subsequent Component, and so on. If the result from any Component in the Chain is Not Acceptable, the process is stopped, and the Chain is Not Acceptable. If the results from every Component in the Chain are Acceptable, the Chain will be Acceptable, and the Chain result final flaw is the final flaw resulting from the final component in the Chain. See the following figure.
As an Option, the Max Flaw Growth for a Chain can be set. For example, if the Max Flaw Growth is set to 3mm, then the final flaw height from the Chain must be less than 3mm larger than the initial flaw height, otherwise it will be Not Acceptable.
The Solver is run on a Chain component the same way it’s run on other components, and the results have the same format.
Like other components, all results can be exported as an Excel file or as a JSON file.
Example Application of the Chain Component
Design Life Timeline: Users create multiple Fatigue and Fracture components representing various periods of time and end-of-life scenarios (consistent with API STD 1104 and DNV RP-F108) and add them to the Chain component. The first component in the Chain may be a Fatigue component representing fatigue loading during transportation, storage & handling, installation, and in-place loading prior to operation. Subsequent Fatigue components may represent time periods after operation begins representing fatigue loading, environment, wall thinning, etc. During those periods. The final Component in the Chain may be a Group component that contains several Fracture components that each represent a different End-of-Life Fracture scenario.
Creating a New Chain Component
A Chain component is created the same way other components are created. From the Components page, click the tile with the plus (+) sign. In the Add New Component form, select “Chain”, add a name and description, and click Save. The newly created Chain component is available on the Components page. Click it to open it.
Input the following: Geometry Type set to Circumferential ID, Wall thickness set to 20mm, and diameter set to 10.75 inches, as shown in the following screenshot.
The components available to be added to the Chain are listed in the Chain Settings section. The available components must already be in the Project and have the same Geometry Type. Select The Fatigue 01, Fatigue 02, and Group 01 components and click the Add button, as shown in the following screenshot. Use the up and down arrows to adjust the position of the components added to the Chain. The Component on top is the first Component in the Chain, and the Component on the bottom is the final Component in the Chain.
Click the Save button, and the Chain component is available to run of use the Solver, like every other component.
Running a Chain Component and Viewing the Results
Scroll to the bottom of the input form for the Chain component and click the Run button. The Input Initial Flaw form appears, input a 2mm by 10mm initial surface flaw, and click the Run button. Navigate to find the Result and open it.
The summary results for the Chain and the results from each added component are provided.
Results from a Chain component can be exported as Excel or JSON files.
Running the Solver on a Chain Component
Return to the Chain component, scroll to the bottom, and click the Run Solver button. The Solver Setting form appears. Select High Resolution and click the Run Solver button. Navigate to the results and click the result to open it.
The Solver Results appear like the Solver Results for other components. The Solver Results can be exported as an Excel file or as a JSON file.
Next Article: Max Flaw Size Component
Last Updated: 20 July 2024