Abstract

The Arctic continental shelf is a promising area for oil and gas exploration and mining. Extremely harsh environmental conditions affect the work of engineering geologists, whose work is essential for building and construction of pipelines and rigs for the petroleum industry. With the massive interest and growth of fossil fuels offshore production, more and more geotechnical issues are to be solved. The necessity of studying marine sediments becomes clear when the specific physical and mechanical properties of bottom soils in the Arctic sea shelf are taken into consideration. Certain geological aspects determine what marine soils comprise and how they behave under loads exerted by a construction. Traditional methods of measuring deformation and strength parameters are reviewed, compared and contrasted by their feasibility of using to study marine sediments from offshore the Arctic. A substantial range of published studies has been analyzed and the findings summarized to provide potential solutions. The article stresses the importance of proper geotechnical survey and collaboration between industries and environmental scientists to achieve best results in studying the Arctic and building long-term human capacity alongside with protection of its vulnerable environment. Document type: Part of book or chapter of book

Abstract

This paper describes how pipelines are often located in seismic unstable slopes where earthquake-induced movements may cause their collapse. Thus, the analysis of the soil-pipe interaction plays a large role for the seismic hazard prevision. This paper deals with an analytical approach for the study of the interaction phenomena occurring between pipe and surrounding soil when pipelines cross unstable slopes. Some analytical solutions are presented in order to evaluate displacement, lateral deflection and bending moment distribution along the pipe. The Newmark method extended to a 3-D analysis was used to evaluate the permanent earthquake-induced displacement in slope due to ground motion. The aim is the prevention of unacceptable conditions for the pipeline and to avoid the pipe failure. Field and laboratory tests confirm that the soil shows a non-linear behavior even under low loading: so a non-linear behavior for the soil-pipe interaction should be considered to take into account the plastic response. The non-linear model used in the analysis and the results obtained, with particular reference to the influence of the soil modeling are presented in the paper. Document type: Part of book or chapter of book

Abstract

This paper presents a number of geotechnical issues encountered in earthquake design of offshore structures and subsea facilities. Parallel with construction of traditional structures such as jackets and gravity-based structures, a considerable effort has recently been put to field developments in deep water. This has brought about other challenges that are largely dependent on geotechnical knowledge. This paper addresses some of the more recent approaches and solutions in geotechnical earthquake design of both shallow water and deep-water structures and facilities such as platforms with large bases, pipelines traversing slopes and seabed installations. It is demonstrated how incorporation of radiation damping and nonlinear soil-structure interaction in offshore installations could optimize the design. Considering the importance of earthquake stability of slopes in deep water development, special attention is given to highlighting several key issues in the earthquake response of submarine slopes including strain softening and three-dimensional shaking. Document type: Part of book or chapter of book

Abstract

Many gas distribution company operation and maintenance activities require precise knowledge of the location of buried plastic piping. Plastic pipe cannot be located if the tracer wire is gone or was never installed. Under sponsorship of the Southern California Gas Company, IGT successfully demonstrated an acoustic plastic pipe location technique and is developing the technique into a practical field instrument an acoustic signal is injected directly into the gas at a service. The acoustic signal travels in the gas in the pipes, not in the pipe wall. As the acoustic wave travels along the pipe, some of the sound radiates from the pipe through the soil to the surface of the ground. An array of sensors on the surface of the ground perpendicular to the pipe detects the acoustic signal, thereby locating the Pipe. Two different acoustic measurements are used. The first measurement locates the pipe to within {plus_minus} 3-ft. Then the second technique determines the location of the pipe to within {plus_minus} 6-in. Document type: Report

Abstract

This report provides an estimate of the leak rate from the emergency pump well in L-basin that is to be expected during an off-normal event. This estimate is based on expected shrinkage of the engineered grout (i.e., controlled low strength material) used to fill the emergency pump well and the header pipes that provide the dominant leak path from the basin to the lower levels of the L-Area Complex. The estimate will be used to provide input into the operating safety basis to ensure that the water level in the basin will remain above a certain minimum level. The minimum basin water level is specified to ensure adequate shielding for personnel and maintain the ''as low as reasonably achievable'' concept of radiological exposure. The need for the leak rate estimation is the existence of a gap between the fill material and the header pipes, which penetrate the basin wall and would be the primary leak path in the event of a breach in those pipes. The gap between the pipe and fill material was estimated based on a full scale demonstration pour that was performed and examined. Leak tests were performed on full scale pipes as a part of thismore » examination. Leak rates were measured to be on the order of 0.01 gallons/minute for completely filled pipe (vertically positioned) and 0.25 gallons/minute for partially filled pipe (horizontally positioned). This measurement was for water at 16 feet head pressure and with minimal corrosion or biofilm present. The effect of the grout fill on the inside surface biofilm of the pipes is the subject of a previous memorandum.« le Document type: Report

Abstract

The development of Molecor´s technology, which is based on the application of a Molecular Orientation process, has delivered a significant turning point in the pipelines sector. With this technological development, the company has begun to manufacture TOM® PVC-O pipes, the most eco-friendly pipes on the market. The Molecor technology enabled eradicating many of the existing disadvantages of thermoplastic pipes. This technology delivers a clear objective; to provide the water industry with a solution for pipes carrying pressurized water in an environmentally friendly, yet cost efficient manner. This also extends a service life compared to pipeline materials currently in use. The Molecor´s technology has faced numerous barriers due to the high level of competitiveness in the market and the relatively short period since its development. Notwithstanding, the technology is now highly recognized by the market and has spread continuously and gradually over the world to the five continents. We have served many international markets: North America (i.e., Canada), South America (i.e., Colombia and Ecuador), European countries (i.e., Italy and Spain), African countries (i.e., South Africa) and East countries (i.e., India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Australia).

Abstract

In most gravity fed water transmission pipelines, it is desired to reduce excess pressure head to prevent undue strain on a pipeline and lower the incidence of leaks. Normally this is done with pressure reducing valves that essentially burn off this excess pressure as heat. The LucidPipe™ system converts it to low cost electricity thereby removing unwanted pressure and generating energy at the same time - energy that can be put used behind the grid or put back on the grid. The LucidPipe™ system extracts a small percentage of pressure head providing nearly invisible operation allowing water operators to fulfill their primary mission of delivering water to consumers. Because the LucidPipe™ system extracts only a small percentage of pressure head when operating, and about 1 psi of pressure head when stopped, it is virtually invisible in a pipe network and can be placed directly in-line without the need of a bypass for the turbine. Traditional hydropower turbines effectively halt the flow of water when stopped, and can cause dangerous water hammer when grid power is disconnected so they must be placed in a bypass to not interrupt the safe delivery of water. Also, traditional hydropower turbines operate in a narrow band of pressures and flows whereas the LucidPipe™ system has a wide operating range typically found in municipal water transmission system. The LucidPipe™ system adjusts to meet the demands of water delivery rather than a water operator having to adjust the water to meet the demands of the turbine.

Abstract

Triax’s Spot-r system was developed to tackle the construction industry’s unique safety and productivity challenges, stemming from a demonstrated lack of total jobsite visibility and automatically collected, easily accessible field data. Spot-r by Triax combines a proprietary mesh network with sensor technology to record and transmit previously unattainable workforce and equipment location, activity and safety data within a defined area – all in real-time. The Spot-r network is installed around the site and operates in a 900 MHz network, with a subset using a cellular connection to forward Spot-r sensor data to Triax’s custom, cloud dashboard. In the hazardous construction environment, the wearable Spot-r Clip detects worker slips, trips, or falls on site and sends automatic alerts to designated personnel. Workers can also trigger an alert to supervisors via their wearable device. In a situation that requires an evacuation, superintendents can activate the Spot-r EvacTag, which augments current evacuation procedures with a visual, high-decibel alarm. Real-time worker headcounts and floor- and zone-based location via the Spot-r dashboard eliminates time spent tracking down people or information and helps account for workers during an evacuation. Operating off the same network and working with the Spot-r Clip, the Spot-r EquipTag adheres to nearly any piece of equipment to track real-time location, utilization, and operator identity, providing a comprehensive view of how resources are interacting on site. Aggregate utilization data by operator, subcontractor, zone, or time period helps coordinate resources and minimize downtime. By automatically collecting real-time data from workers and equipment - without technical limitations such as wireless internet, project scope, or clear line of sight to the sky - Spot-r provides unprecedented visibility into site operations and safety, helping contractors build safer and smarter. Spot-r is currently being used on more than 40 sites by some of the nation’s leading contractors, including Turner and Gilbane.