DEGRADATION MODELLING
The core technology behind the CAPCIS approach to the development and application of models for the whole life deterioration of engineering assets is our 30-year experience in investigating, measuring, simulating and researching corrosion and degradation problems across virtually every industry in nearly every possible environment. This unrivalled knowledge base is captured in the creation of bespoke models for targeted application, with knowledge of materials and materials behaviour transferred across sectors to provide the fundamental inputs for the models. The use of degradation models allows the appliance of corrosion knowledge to sit alongside environmental, construction and maintenance data and assist in the optimisation of process and asset operations that can overcome the constraints and costs of a standards-based approach. Our models are being used to support asset life extension, optimise corrosion control processes and target remediation. Our unique cross-sector knowledge assists the process in many ways, by informing the original model design and applying credibility judgements to the outputs.
The forms of our models vary with application and client need around a common theme recognising the many uncertainties in real life situations and the use of probability methods to overcome these, allowing us to move outside the boundaries of a traditional rule-based approach. A second important theme is the building of an operational degradation history for the target assets that enables the condition data that does exist to be used as validation data and provides the confidence to make forward predictions. Applications range from small-scale single asset assessments to network wide deployment as part of asset integrity management systems and processes. In all cases the situations are characterised by a variability in performance and operating data that would hinder more traditional engineering decision making and result in the conservative option of asset replacement.
The models are often built as standalone systems using risk analysis frameworks such as iDecide ® , @Risk ® and Crystal Ball ® , but also incorporated into wider scale asset management systems in co-operation with partner companies.
iDecide ® is a registered trademark of Decisive Tools LLC
@Risk ® is a registered trademark of Palisade Corporation
Crystal Ball ® is a registered trademark of Decisioneering Inc.
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