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Piping vibration analysis per EI 2008 Guidelines for the avoidance of vibration induced
fatigue failure (AVIFF).
Piping systems are subject to vibration-induced failures. To mitigate this integrity risk, a
piping vibration assessment is conducted during the design phase and high-risk locations are
tested during the operations phase. This piping vibration analysis (assessment) is based on the
Energy Institute (EI) AVIFF Guidelines and other applicable methodologies and makes up an
important part of an Asset Integrity Management (AIM) system.
The Energy Institute AVIFF Guideline is the recommended approach to identify and resolve
piping vibration risks. Wood has extensive expertise in pipe stress analysis, dynamic
vibration analysis, transient flow, and other related design studies. Our unique approach is
based on decades of actual field experience (troubleshooting) to solve piping vibration
problems – a unique advantage in the design industry.
Contents
1 Background
1.1 What is piping vibration?
1.2 Why should I care about piping vibration?
1.3 What piping is most at risk?
1.4 Where does piping vibration come from?
1.5 How can I address piping vibration?
2 Piping Vibration Risks in Onshore and Offshore Facilities
3 Overview
4 Piping Vibration and Integrity Assessment - Scope
5 Wood Advantages
6 Summary
7 Free webinar
8a Related Information
8b Related Services
9 Keywords
1 Background
Piping vibration problems are a reality at onshore or offshore production facilities, pipeline
stations, refineries, and petrochemical plants. Facility owners are extremely sensitive to these
integrity risks because of the significant consequences associated with product releases from
ruptured piping.
Piping vibration is simply the movement of pipe away from its static, at-rest position. Some
vibration can be seen by the naked eye, some vibration can be felt or heard, and some
vibration occurs only occasionally under certain operating conditions, and may not be
recognized until a piping failure has occurred.
21% of hydrocarbon releases are due to vibration-induced fatigue failures (UK Health &
Safety Executive). These releases can have a significant impact on public and employee
safety, the environment, production and financial performance.
The piping system is by far the leading source of failures in facilities (Marsh & McLennan).
This is in part due to the sheer quantity of piping in facilities, but also due to inadequacies in
integrity programs to consider vibration and fatigue. The situation is compounded by the fact
that commonly used design codes do not consider vibration in detail.
Overall, only a small portion of piping is of high risk of failure, but identifying those high-
risk locations is the challenge. Piping vibration risks can be identified at any stage of the asset
lifecycle, but few companies have a systematic approach to evaluating these risks.
The remaining 20% are generally associated with parent pipe girth weld failure.
Two main factors affect vibration: the strength of the excitation and the flexibility of the
piping system. Therefore, there are always two methods to solve piping vibration problems:
reduce the level of excitation to which the piping system is exposed or support the piping
system so that it can withstand the applied dynamic forces.
The excitation mechanisms that cause vibration originate from three main sources:
The risk-based approach allows for a proactive management of vibration, only where there
are risks present. Risk-based assessments integrate with and complement conventional
integrity management programs that typically focus on corrosion/erosion – saving time and
money for operators.
Design and in-service inspection standards typically highlight the risk posed by vibration
but fail to provide appropriate management strategies, often leaving the identification of
vibration issues to operators.
The Energy Institute document “Guidelines for the Avoidance of Vibration Induced Fatigue
Failure in Process Pipework” is the industry standard for evaluating vibration integrity
risks; Wood’s vibration experts were heavily involved in its development and understand its
application.
Wood conducts risk-based assessments for major operators globally and can help augment
your integrity management program to include vibration and start proactively addressing
vibration risk.
Small-bore connections (SBCs) and branch attachments connect to the main process
piping. These
small attachments, typically less than 8 cm (3 inches) in diameter, are the most
common cause of integrity problems. Even if the main process piping has acceptable
vibration, the vibration can be amplified on SBC causing failures. For large facilities,
there can be thousands of SBCs that pose this integrity risk.
Process piping vibration can cause excessive vibratory stress on nozzles and tees
leading to cracks.
Failure of bypass lines, PSV or relief lines.
Transient related events such as starting, stopping, emergency shutdown, or closing
and opening valves can cause momentum changes in the gas or liquid (fluid hammer),
resulting is excessive stress.
Fretting and damage to pipe supports.
Pipe stress analysis can be in conflict with vibration design requirements. Unless the
design resolves the conflict between Mechanical Vibration Design (adding stiffness to
control vibration) and the Piping Stress Analysis (increasing flexibility for thermal
analysis), there are risks that the piping system will experience stress failures.
Figure 3 example of compact piping layout on an FPSO
Space on an offshore production facility is limited, and the piping layout is often very
compact. As shown in Figure 3, the tight layout creates unique challenges in
controlling piping vibration.
The piping
system is
often
elevated,
connecting
rotating
machinery
to
overhead
coolers,
vessels, or
3 Overview
Below is an overview of the Piping Integrity Assessment, which includes an Energy Institute
AVIFF assessment, static stress analysis, and field vibration audit:
This chart shows excitation sources studied in Wood's Piping Vibration Assessment
Wood recommends following the Energy Institute (EI) AVIFF Guideline as the high-level
screening methodology since it has a rigorous and systematic process to address the main
vibration risks. The assessment investigates both the main process piping and SBC. Both
transient and steady state conditions should be included in the Piping Vibration and Integrity
Assessment.
Wood has augmented the EI Guideline to provide superior integrity during the design and
field testing phase. These additional features are based on our experience in evaluating piping
vibration over the past 45 years.
For larger piping systems, the complete Piping Vibration and Integrity Assessment (as
outlined below) is recommended.
Where the scope is limited to Small-Bore Connections (SBC), or Branch Connections:
o SBC Assessment
For specific machine applications, the piping analysis may have a narrow scope:
o Flow-Induced Vibration (FIV) (PARTICULARLY FOR CENTRIFUGAL
COMPRESSOR APPLICATIONS)
o Flow-Induced Turbulence (FIT)
o Acoustic-Induced Vibration (AIV)
o Shell Transverse Acoustical (STA)
o Water Hammer Analysis (liquid systems)
o Fuel Gas Compressor Piping Transient Analysis
In many applications, a Pipe Stress Analysis is also required and is typically linked to
the vibration service.
o Pipe Stress Analysis
Owners and Engineering Companies (ECs) retain Wood early in the project to conduct this
specialized work. Early involvement will save time and money, compared to making minor
piping changes late in the design or construction process.
Figure 4: Piping Integrity evaluation for refinery (1000+ process lines). Areas of high
likelihood of failure were identified, and follow-up recommendations provided to mitigate
vibration-induced risks leading to failures.
The initial focus would be on those systems that are considered to be safety and business
critical. Other areas of the plant should be subsequently assessed to ensure all potential issues
are identified.
To ensure an integrated vibration design, the scope should include the piping and support
systems for reciprocating compressors and pumps, centrifugal compressors and pumps, and
the foundation or structural supports.
Figure 5: Finite element analysis (FEA) used to calculate stress on small-bore piping.
Conducting this work requires specialists who are experts in dynamics, and have the
necessary experience, software tools, and field capabilities.