Advanced Program in Fracture Mechanics

Oil and gas pipelines around the world are aging, leading to the occurrence and growth of defects such as corrosion and cracks. These defects can be assessed using fracture mechanics methods; indeed, new federal regulations in the USA (2020) require pipeline operators to evaluate the significance of cracks in their pipelines using this approach. However, few pipeline engineering staff are familiar with fracture mechanics, highlighting the need to provide all pipeline integrity personnel with a thorough grounding in this area. A fracture mechanics learning program has been developed to help staff gain this understanding. It is important to emphasize that this is not a simple training course; rather, it is a comprehensive learning program that begins with the basics and history of fracture mechanics, guiding individuals through the various aspects of fracture and fatigue assessment of defects in pipelines.

Your course at a glance

Course Availability

Available 24/7

Duration

Estimated 3 - 4 months

Delivery

Blended learning

Level

Foundation level

Competency Standards

Satisfies the requirement for Fracture Mechanics CS032F+

What you will get

Certificate of completion, plus
Continued Professional Development hours

Who should take the program?

The learning program is aimed at pipeline integrity engineers who are involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of pipelines who need to understand fracture mechanics principles to enhance pipeline safety and performance.

What is the course format?

The program is an online, on-demand course designed to be completed within 3 - 4 months. This program inludes the following:

• Preparatory learning material including 6 selected e-learns: Introduction to Pipeline Defect Assessment CS020A, Introduction to Stress Analysis CS030A, Introduction to Fracture Mechanics CS032A, Introduction to Failure Analysis CS033A, Introduction to Failure Modes and Mechanisms CS042A, Introduction Pipeline Defects CS048A 
• On-demand presentations.
• Learning activities.
• Workshops.
• We offer a 45 minute mentoring session with Dr Phil Hopkins. For individuals undergoing group training, this might involve a collaborative team approach.
• Post-School.
• Optional Assessment.

What are the course outcomes?

What will you learn?

• Quantitative and qualitative toughness, and interpreting fracture toughness (Kmat) from Charpy and toughness data, using standard correlations.
• Fracture toughness testing.
• Identifying primary and secondary stresses, toughness, and other inputs to a fracture analysis.
• Stress fields at crack tips, and elastic-plastic fracture using K, J, or CTOD approaches. Relationship between K, J and CTOD.
• Failure assessment diagrams (FADs) for fracture and collapse.
• Choice of FAD, inclusion of residual stress, effects of pressure testing, and post weld heat treatment (PWHT) on inputs.
• Conducting fatigue analyses by S-N or fracture mechanics methods, including environmental effects and cycle counting of data.
• Use of assessment codes – BS 7910, API 579 - and other approaches (e.g., CorLAS, PAFFC, LEFM).
• Use of commercial ECA software packages for routine analyses; Case studies in fracture mechanics and defect assessment.
• Assessment of environmental cracking; and, Interpretation of pipeline data, such as design and service records, pipe stress analysis output, and SCADA data, and deriving inputs for fracture and fatigue analyses.

Meet your subject matter expert

Dr Phil Hopkins