Testing
Factory acceptance testing of bending restrictors can be divided into three main categories:
Materials testing
Fit-up, assembly testing
Load testing
Stringent quality control checks are carried out on all batches of polyurethane material used in the manufacture of Bending Restrictors. This includes both good-inwards and in-process checks to ensure that only raw materials with the correct material properties are put into production and that these properties remain consistent throughout the manufacturing process.
We have a modern and well equipped QA/QC laboratory which allows most material testing (tensile, compressive etc) to be conducted in-house. Alternatively if Third Party Approval test results are required, we have free access to a local NAMAS Approved Test House.
Generally when a client opens the packing case for the first time, he will be offshore on an installation vessel. It is therefore vital that in order to prevent expensive delays, all the components of the Bending Restrictor fit-up and assemble together as requested.
As a matter of routine, the Bending Restrictor elements will be fully assembled in a string using the correct fasteners prior to release for despatch from us.
In addition, the elements will be assembled onto the particular interface steelwork component, which in turn will be fitted up to either the real or a mock-up of the rigid interface structure.
To ensure that the Bending Restrictor has a suitable load capacity, many clients specifiy that a load test is undertaken, two types of load test can be conducted:
- Proof load testing
- Destructive load testing
With the proof load test, a fully assembled string of elements is subjected to the calculated maximum in service loading. The load is held for a defined time period and the restrictor is then examined for any signs of damage.
If a destructive load test is specified, the Restrictor is first proof load tested then the load is increased until failure of one or more of the elements occurs. The failure load is recorded and compared to the load anticipated by calculation methods.