EPDECOM

UPDATE: EPDECOM will be transitioning to a free-to-use open source product during 2024/2025, so we are only offering 3 months licenses during this transition period.

EPDECOM V2.0 pipeline fracture control software is designed to calculate the minimum linepipe toughness (arrest toughness) required to arrest a running fracture.

Fracture control is an important consideration in the design of steel pipelines. The conditions that cause a defect in a material to grow (rupture) and to stop growing (arrest) must be determined because steel pipelines are long, continuous structures, and therefore a crack can propagate for a long distance if it is not arrested. The material property of the pipe that defines how it will resist fracture is toughness. The tougher a pipe is, the larger the amount of energy required to create a crack is, and hence the greater is its tolerance to defects.

A generalised method for predicting the fracture propagation toughness requirement was developed by the Battelle Institute, called the Battelle Two-Curve Method (BTCM). In the BTCM, two equations are developed – the relationship between decompression wave-speed and pressure, and the relationship between fracture velocity and hoop stress. As each of these equations applies to a mixture and any number of initial conditions, many numerical computations are required which are best provided using a dedicated software package.

EPDECOM V2.0 is an implementation of the NG18 equations used in the original BTCM. It uses modern equations of state, in particular GERG 2008, to predict the decompression wave speed, providing better predictions of the toughness requirement than other similar software packages. Several correction factors are available in the software as required. EPDECOM is intended for use in assessing designs involving the transport of rich gas, complex mixtures and/or CO2 mixtures. One application of this is in the control plan against running ductile fracture (RDF) in API5L pipes used in high pressure transmission pipeline applications.

EPDECOM V2.0 is owned and distributed by Future Fuels CRC.

Licensing, pricing and ordering

EPDECOM V2.0 is available to use under a standardised license agreement.

Current prices are AUD$600 for 3 months, invoiced in advance.

To order EPDECOM V2.0 please use our online shop or contact us

 

PIPESTRAIN

PipeStrain is designed to assess the strain demand on a string of pipes during a Type 3 field hydrostatic test following the requirements set in the Australian Standard AS2885.1:2018.

PipeStrain is a standalone application based on a graphical user interface with a Finite Element Analysis engine in the backend. V4.0 was developed in 2019 at the University of Wollongong and is available from Future Fuels CRC.

Licensing and pricing

PipeStrain 4.0 is available to use under a standardised license agreement.

Current prices are AUD$600 for 3 months, invoiced in advance.

For more information and to order PipeStrain 4.0, please contact us.

 

No Warranty or Liability

Future Fuels CRC Ltd strives to deliver a high-quality software product. However, it does not warrant or represent (to the extent permitted by law) the merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose of any software, or that the use of any information disclosed in the software does not infringe on privately owned property rights. Future Fuels CRC Ltd will not be liable for any damage that may result from the use of, or errors or omissions in, the software, or any information disclosed in or derived from the software.

Service levels and support

Future Fuels CRC is a research organisation that relies on the support of it academic and industry participants to support, maintain and deliver EPDECOM V2.0 and PIPESTRAIN as tools for industry. Please be aware it may take a few days to receive and process your order or support request depending on staffing levels at our participants.