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Innovative Solution for Wind Induced Vibration

When ARCO Alaska, Inc. observed that their above-ground pipelines in arctic oil fields were undergoing significant levels of wind-induced vibration (WIV), they called on SSD to tackle the problem. This project gave SSD the opportunity to provide a full problem solving service to its client in a cost-effective manner. SSD spearheaded the overall engineering effort with responsibility for the following tasks:

• Literature search and review to get a better understanding of the phenomenon
• Analysis and classification of field pipelines based on WIV threat
• Development of specifications for field instrumentation programs
• Management of, and participation in field test programs
• Field data processing and interpretation
• Extensive analytical correlation studies and simulation using AutoPIPE®
• Development and laboratory testing of vibration mitigation systems
• Field testing of alternative mitigation systems
• Development of patented pipeline vibration dampers (PVD's)
• Ongoing support of PVD solution
• Extension of solution to consider above pipe and below pipe tuned vibration absorbers (TVAs)