What is Stress Concentration Tomography (SCT)?
SCT is a passive magnetic sensing tool that collects the magnetic data of a target pipeline and then analyzes it for self magnetic-flux leakages in the pipeline wall, which are know as Stress Concentration Zones(SCZs). Using this stress-profile information, integrity managers can make informed decisions regarding the safe operation of their pipelines.
What does SCT Identify?
SCT™ identifies the location and the estimated stress of each SCZ (Stress Concentration Zone) on a pipeline. An SCZ is an accumulation of localized stress in the pipeline wall that is greater than the nominal hoop stress of the pipe. SCZs are caused by corrosion, metallurgical defects resulting in wall thickness loss and mechanical sources such as twisting and sagging from poor support and ground movements. In turn, the increased localized stress within an SCZ prompts a localized realignment of magnetic domains which appear as an anomaly in the background magnetic field.
SCT™ identifies the particular magnetic signatures associated with different types of localized stress in the pipe and can differentiate between unexpected changes in stress caused by, for example, corrosion and expected changes in stress caused by girth welds. After mathematical processing, localized stress increase, no matter what the source, generates the same waveform and SCT™’s automated search algorithms can identify their locations to cm accuracy. Algorithms also have been developed and trained to examine the characteristics of each magnetic signal within the SCZ to estimate the quantity of stress causing them. Significantly this is done directly through analysis of magnetic data without any intermediary analyses of wall thickness loss calculations, any need to excavate, calibrate, verify or alter the pipeline in any way prior to or after inspection.
Stay tuned this week as we talk more in depth with our SCT Services and what 3-D can do.
Contact us to receive more information or to book your Presentation on this technology.
Want to learn more? Read Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of this series.
3-D Line Locating Ltd is a privately owned Buried Pipeline and Utility Locating, Hydrovac Services and Ground Disturbance Management company. For over 20 years, we have been at the forefront of the Damage Prevention industry in Western Canada. Although the industry has changed significantly over the last 20 years, we have been very fortunate to have been at the leading edge of the evolution and still maintain the highest levels of quality, accuracy, consistency and customer satisfaction in our industry.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram and stay up to date with what we are working on and all the latest news in our industry.