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Stress Analysis of Thin Walled Pressure Vessels In a Hurry? – Call Tom O’Donnell, PE 412.835.5007 Introduction The safe design, analysis, installation, operation, and maintenance of pressure vessels are in accordance with codes such as American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Therefore, great emphasis should be placed on analytical and […]

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FEA of Heater Vessel FEA of a Vessel with Nozzles Call Tom O’Donnell to Get Started (412) 835-5007 What is Finite Element Analysis (FEA)? Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a computer simulation method used for evaluating components and systems. FEA is a powerful tool that models both simple and complex geometries, in conjunction with linear

Failed Wire Rope Weld Failure Failure Analysis – The Basics Questions? – Call Tom O’Donnell, PE (412) 835-5007 Failure Analysis is the Process of Understanding the Root Cause of Materials / Equipment Failure. One of the first steps to take after equipment failure should be to check similar in-service components. Although forensic investigations may appear

Introduction – Design by Analysis v. Design by Rule Questions? Call Tom O’Donnell, PE (412) 835-5007 Engineering design is a critical process that involves creating reliable structures, systems, and products. To ensure the safety and functionality of these designs, engineers employ various methodologies, two of which are Design by Analysis and Design by Rule. Design

Weld Defects and Failures: Quantifying Fitness For Service – How Finite Element Mathematical Simulations can Mitigate Risk and Cut Costs Article by Dr. William J. O’Donnell, PE, President – O’Donnell Consulting Engineers Fatigue in Welded steel components is often initiated by mathematical vibration, corrosion and thermal cycling. Fitness for service analysis is the most viable

Fitness-for-Service analysis is the most viable step in determining the safety and financial risk factors related to component repair or replacement. This Stainless Steel World article (written by Bill O’Donnell, Sr.) shares insight about managing risk specific to weld failures. Bill, Sr. began his professional career at Westinghouse Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, where he designed

FEA Model of Vessel at Nozzles Basics of Pressure Design & Analysis O’Donnell Consulting Performs Pressure Vessel Design & Analysis (412) 835-5007 Introduction This Blog Summarizes Pressure Vessel Design, Material Selection, Stress Analysis, Safety Measures, and Adherence to Industry Standards. Pressure vessels are precision-engineered containers designed to operate under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. They

  Fatigue of Welded Components Fatigue is a critical phenomenon that affects the durability and reliability of welded structures. It is the primary cause of failure in welded components, accounting for approximately 90% of failures. Fatigue occurs when a material is subjected to cyclic or fluctuating stresses, even at levels below the material’s yield strength.

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See Murals Page – that were painted by a local artist, depicting stories of various engineering and legal cases.

See updates to our Portfolio Page – we are continually adding to it. Above is a finite analysis element analysis (FEA) model of a base skid containing a Vapor Recovery Unit.

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Cracks Found in Brass Fitting of an HVAC System   Summary Calll Tom O’Donnell, PE (412) 835-5007 “Call a Metallurgist!” When components made of metal fail, this is typically the first reaction. It’s a fact of life – things break. Learn more about when to call a metallurgist and what’s involved. Introduction Although often a

See Resume Summaries of our Senior Engineers at Our Team. See Also: Who We Serve to see a List of a Few of our Clients Popular Links to see What’s Trending No Time? – Call Tom O’Donnell, PE (412)-835-5007

GlobalSpec Article on a Forensic Investigation O’Donnell Consulting Performed on a Ductwork Failure in a Pittsburgh-local School. Call Tom O’Donnell to Discuss Your Forensic Engineering Issues (412) 835-5007

Primary Stress vs. Secondary Stress Call Tom O’Donnell, PE (412) 835-5007  “Primary Stress” and “Secondary Stress” What do These Terms Mean and Why are they Important? “Primary Stress” is a term likely first used by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel (B&PV) Code (1) Section VIII, regarding a type of stress to be evaluated in

Bill O’Donnell, Sr., recently published “Handbook of Lessons Learned In Engineering, Design, Manufacturing and Construction.” It is intended for engineers, designers, manufacturers and constructors – depicting failures from thermal, structural, vibration, corrosion and other failure mechanisms. Read a sample of this book, Section 1 Designers’ Lessons. This book can be purchased at Amazon.com.

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) and NuScale Power, two leading companies in the race to build small modular reactors (SMRs) for power generation, have recently announced deals that could result to new plants being constructed in Europe. See the Power Magazine article.

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Advantages of Dual Linear Array Probes for Corrosion Inspection. The power generation industry is among those whose aging infrastructure contributes to increased safety concerns, and can lead to costly unscheduled maintenance and shutdowns. Facilities must be vigilant about monitoring corrosion in their in-service pipes and vessels to help ensure their integrity. Read the Power Magazine

The reliability and integrity of equipment, structures and piping can suffer because of vibration and dynamic responses. These depend mainly on excitation forces, stiffness, mass distribution and damping. Modal analysis, which focuses on natural frequencies and associated modal shapes, provides an important tool in understanding potential issues. Indeed, usually the first step in checking for

Steam turbines are used across the world as a source of power for many different industries. Even with the best maintenance procedures and preventative maintenance techniques, problems can still arise. Resolving one of the more serious issues, that of stress corrosion cracking, can often be achieved in a straightforward manner by accurately identifying the causes. 

A first-of-its-kind nuclear reactor that will use a 3D-printed core, advanced materials, and integrated sensors and controls is on track for completion by 2023. Read the Power Magazine Article.   .

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