Session: 01-08-01: Flow-Induced Noise and Vibration

Paper Number: 111400

111400 - A Comprehensive Review of Acoustic Induced Vibration Methodologies 

High acoustic energy has the potential to cause severe Acoustic Induced Vibration (AIV) that lead to fatigue failure in a piping system. In the past few decades, many technical papers on AIV research were published and several industry codes and guidelines were developed. However, there are gaps and inconsistencies among them due to limited data and unverified assumptions. With new technologies developing in the oil and gas industry, process conditions (such as temperature and pressure) have seen significant changes in recent industrial projects with the acoustic energy in piping system growing exponentially and exceeding the limits of current industrial codes and guidelines.

In this paper, a comprehensive review of AIV methodologies is conducted. Failure data reported in 1980s and 90s, as well as AIV methodologies developed in the 2000s (Carruci-Mueller curve, Eisinger curve, Bruce curve, Energy Institute Guideline, MTD Guideline, etc.) are reviewed along with their limitations and unverified assumptions based on available data and compared to the latest research. The latest failure data from recent projects are used to demonstrate the application range of each method. Methods developed based on data in 1980s/90s were limited to sound power level (PWL) of 180 dB while many plants designed recently have PWL more than 185 dB, with some up to 200 dB. Applying traditional methods to new plants with extremely high PWL lead to unrealistic and extremely conservative design.

Several major gaps such as noise induced by sonic flow, noise attenuation, effectiveness of asymmetric reinforcement, fatigue limit of contour fitting, risk of welded supports are discussed with an aim to close gaps and inconsistencies in industry codes and standards. Most AIV methodologies developed in the past focused on branch fittings with nearly no testing data on welded supports. Many fittings such as sweepolet, sweeplus, forged tee, 45-deg fitting, and short-contour were not evaluated due to lack of testing data.

Failure modes and lessons learned during the development phase are discussed to emphasize the importance of AIV evaluation during design and operation along with the latest trend in industry codes and guidelines on AIV. In the past, AIV evaluation was, often times, a post-event assessment which resulted in costly physical changes after the plant was built. With the latest revision of ASME B31 Code, most engineers are performing AIV evaluation early in the design phase to mitigate risks. The comprehensive review of AIV methodologies presented in this paper hopes to provide a more comprehensive guideline for safe design practices and structural integrity.

Presenting Author: Yuqing Liu Bechtel Energy Inc.

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Yuqing Liu is the global manager of pipe stress and support engineering in Bechtel Energy Inc. He is an internationally recognized expert in pipe stress analysis, pipe vibration analysis, and fluid structural interaction. Dr. Liu’s contributions include acoustic-induced-vibration, flow-induced-vibration, acoustic resonance, vortex-shedding, liquid hammer analysis, thermal transient analysis, and root-cause-analysis of industry incidents and failures.
Dr. Liu received his Ph.D. degree from Penn. State University with a focus in vibration and chaos. Prior to his doctoral research, he received a B.S. degree from Tsinghua University in China. He is a licensed professional engineer and also serves as code committee in American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Authors:

Yuqing Liu Bechtel Energy Inc.
Philip Diwakar Bechtel Energy Inc
Ismat Eljaouhari Bechtel Energy Inc.
Lulin Shen Bechtel Energy Inc.