NuVision Engineering offers analytical services to examine the mechanical life expectancy or degradation of components. These analytical techniques are based on finite element methods and address items such as fatigue, and fracture mechanics techniques. Typical projects in this area include the following:

Pressurizer safety and relief valve inlet flange: An evaluation on the nozzle loads due to the preload of the flange bolts and the piping nozzle loads applied to the flange connection. In addition to the valve flange, piping, bolts and support plate, elements representing the valve insert, flange ring and gasket were also included in the overall evaluation. The image below shows the finite element model used in the analysis.

Degradation of a silencer panel: The silencer panels are located within the exhaust duct and subject to extreme thermal transients during normal startup and shutdown conditions. A fatigue evaluation and redesign of a silencer panel under extreme thermal loadings was completed by NuVision Engineering. The finite element model above was subject to the startup and shutdown transients and a fatigue evaluation was performed. The final design modifications resulted in the component meeting the desired fatigue life for all components within the structure.