Assystem Capabilities

ENERGY & NUCLEAR

A NEW
PERSPECTIVE
ON GROWTH

Introduction to Assystem

Product Design & Development
Process & Plant Engineering
Technology Development & Implementation
Operation & Maintenance support

Assystem is a leading international group providing Engineering and Consultancy services across a broad
range of industry sectors. The UK branch of Assystem has 10 offices, a permanent workshop facility and
approximately 1500 engineers.

Energy & Nuclear is the oldest of the Assystem UK divisions, with a heritage spanning 40 years. Over that
time Assystem UK has achieved an impressive record of growth and diversification and provides value-
added services clients in Power Generation, Oil & Gas, Aerospace, Automotive, Defence, Marine and
Life Sciences industries.
Contract Models
Assystem UK provides a full life cycle of design services that
include concept design, detail design, mechanical and
electrical control & instrumentation engineering, analysis,
design substantiation, safety engineering, purchasing,
assembly & testing and recruitment.

Through its network of offices, Assystem provides a direct
local interface to our customers, enabling a clearer
understanding of client requirements and stronger working
relationships. Delivery of the consultative and technical
solutions is then delivered through the resources and
technical structure at the local offices and technical centres
of excellence throughout the country.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
Assystem UK Ltd | Club Street | Bamber Bridge | PRESTON | PR5 6FN | UK
Tel.: +44 (0)1772 645 000 | Fax: +44 (0)1772 645 001
E&Ninfo@assystemuk.com More information at www.assystem.com FM 23790

Design Capability

Design Engineering Services
range of product manufacturing and process sectors including the Aerospace, Automotive, Defence,
Energy, Life Sciences, Naval and Nuclear industries.

The Energy & Nuclear Division of Assystem UK Ltd. has a heritage spanning 40 years and over that time
the group has achieved an impressive record of growth and diversification. The strength of the group lies
in the ability to provide dedicated, multidiscipline project teams composed of specialist staff. There are
currently 10 UK offices and one permanent Test & Development Facility.

The company typically operates in four market areas:

 Product Design & Development
 Process & Plant Engineering
 Technology Development & Implementation
 Operation & Maintenance support

Within these market areas, we provide a comprehensive array of services and products that include
concept design, detail design, EC&I, engineering, analysis, substantiation, manufacturing, testing and
recruitment.

How we work
Through its network of offices, Assystem provides a direct local interface between customers and the
Assystem organisation. This enables us to establish a clear understanding of our client’s requirements.
Delivery of the technical solutions is then facilitated by the resources, facilities and technical capabilities
throughout the company at the local offices and technical centres.

Design and Substantiation
Product efficiency demands the linking of design and assessment to the required targets to be carried out
concurrently to achieve the best designs in the shortest possible time. Assystem achieves this by
embedding the analysis function within the design loop and ensuring that the lessons learnt from the
functional performance of one iteration is fed back to the next: the design and analysis engineers sit next
to each other and work on the designs concurrently.

Design Capabilities:
 Conceptual Design  Detail Design & Analysis
 Multi-Disciplinary Engineering Design  Process Simulation & 3D Mock Ups
 Design Studies  Detail design, manufacture & test

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Design Capability

Case Studies
UKAE Harwell - design and build Rolls-Royce Submarines -
of a retrieval machine. fuelling/ defueling equipment.
 Conceptual Design  Technology development
 Detail design for manufacture.  Concept design
 Procurement, systems  System Integration
interrogation inactive  Mechanical seismic
commissioning. verification and
substantiation.
British Energy - design and Nuclear industry - boiler lift rig
build of graphite sampling  Strength and limit load
machine. checks
 Technology development  Seismic substantiation
 Conceptual & detail design  BS2573
 Procurement construction &
commissioning

Nuclear industry - impact Nuclear Industry - cracked
analysis of storage flask body analysis.
 Concurrent design &  Cracked body analysis
substantiation BS7910/R6 code checks
 Explicit dynamic

Analysis Capabilities:
 Static, linear / non linear FEA (ANSYS,  Seismic assessment (ASCE4-98 / Eurocode 8)
NASTRAN, ABAQUS)  Response spectrum and time history
 Dynamic / impact (Dyna, RADIOSS,
analysis (linear or nonlinear)
ABAQUS)  Steelwork element design and detailing to
 Thermal transient analysis
BS5950
 Staircases / platforms
 Design optimisation (OPTISTRUCT, ANSYS,  Building frames
ABAQUS)  Canopies
 Robustness Studies (HyperStudy, DoE)  Modular construction
 Fatigue assessment  Concrete element design and detailing to BS8110
 Pre-cast
 Pressure vessel assessment:
 Flooring
 ASME III, ASME VIII, TEMA, ASME/  Fire panels
ANSI B31)
 Civil design
 PD5500, EN13445, BS806
 Foundations and retaining walls (BS8004)
 Fracture assessment (including Rcode and  Reinforced concrete (BS8110)
BS7910)  Envelope (BS5628)
 Crane and lifting equipment design and
assessment to BS2573 / BS EN 13001
ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Mechanical Engineering Capability

Mechanical Engineering Services
Assystem UK Energy & Nuclear offers a world class mechanical engineering design service utilising a
broad base of in-house skills relevant to the world energy market. Specialist knowledge developed over 40
years across a multi disciplined team, allows Assystem UK Energy & Nuclear to be a “one stop shop” for
the delivery of cost effective technical solutions to clients for all phases of the project life cycle.
Assystem UK Energy & Nuclear has proven expertise in the following:
 Optioneering and feasibility studies
 Front-end concept design
 Detail design and the production of
manufacturing drawings
 Design substantiation, Independent
Technical Assessment,
 O&M manuals
 Manufacture and Development of Special Purpose Equipment
 Mechanical handling
 Strategic planning
 Project Management
 Risk Analysis, FMECA, ARM, HAZOP, HAZID
 Procurement, Inspection and Expediting
 Research and development
 Compliance with EU directives, CDM regulations, relevant safety
codes and standards
 Installation and commissioning
 Product design and development
 Building, plant and equipment surveys

Projects can typically range from the provision of ‘front-end’ designs for new concept machinery, to the
assembly and development of bespoke mechanisms and equipment to clients’ individual specifications.
For all projects, the company operates a Quality Assurance system to ISO 9001:2008, which is certified
externally by the British Standards Institution, in addition to any other project-specific requirements.
Assystem UK Energy & Nuclear’s design and problem solving ability is backed by comprehensive
technical analytical support such as:
 2D/3D CAD Drawing and modelling (AutoCAD, Pro E, Inventor,
 SolidWorks, Catia)
 FE Stress analysis (thermal, static, dynamic)
 Seismic analysis – equipment and buildings
 Systems engineers, computer specialists, electronic engineers and
 electrical/ instrument engineers
 3D Simulation
 Project planning using Microsoft Project and Primavera

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Mechanical Engineering Capability

Typical Equipment & Processes
 Remote engineering; robotics, manipulators, remote viewing,
shield doors, through-wall drives
 Mechanical handling including bogies, conveyors, cranes
 Mechanical equipment including compactors, powder processing,
fuel fabrication & assembly
 Wet process equipment engineering including vessels, piping,
pumps, heat exchangers and other process plant and installation
 Nuclear transport equipment including flasks, containers
 Nuclear containment & ventilation including ventilation systems,
fans, heating, ducting, filters
 Services including steam, gases, water, electrical, fire protection,
security etc.
 Alpha plant engineering & equipment including gloveboxes
 Engineering substantiation, technical assessment of equipment capability and justification of
adequacy;
 FMEA & ARM
 Process plant including encapsulation
 Safety case – support and supervision

Case Studies
AGR Graphite Sampling System – British Energy (Barnwood)
Assystem UK designed and supplied a graphite sampling system for deployment
inside the fuel channels of AGR reactors. The equipment incorporated a remote
trepanning tool, precision tool alignment mechanisms, sample conveying system
and a CCTV and operator control system.

Synchrotron – DLS
Assystem UK has been closely involved in the design of the Diamond Light
Source Synchrotron - the largest science facility to be funded in the UK for over
30 years and costing £350m. Assystem UK’s team of up to 25 engineers have
been responsible for the design of many of the high precision mechanisms and
support systems associated with the accelerator.

Nuclear waste retrieval machine – UKAEA
Assystem UK designed and developed a waste retrieval facility for the removal
of intermediate level waste canisters from the B462.9 tube store at UKAEA
Harwell. The innovative design consists of a 3 cubic metre 220 ton shielded
containment enclosing a retrieval hoist, grabs and a waste export system.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Control, Electrical and Instrumentation
Capability
Control, Electrical & Instrumentation
Our substantial Electrical, Control and Instrumentation (C,E&I) capabilities range from initial concept
development through design, in-house assembly, installation, commissioning and through-life
maintenance support.

Assystem UK Energy and Nuclear has in-house
systems engineers, computer specialists,
electronic engineers and electrical/ instrument
engineers whose combined experience can be
used to complete the most demanding of
projects.

This includes complex safety critical control
systems or nuclear applications enabling us to
provide complete and fully integrated solutions.

Furthermore, our C,E&I engineers are highly
experienced in working alongside other
engineering disciplines to provide a total
system integration capability.

Capability Scope
Our capabilities cover a broad range of the C,E&I spectrum. These include:

Control Electrical Instrumentation
 Embedded real-time systems  Site surveys  In-line testing

 SCADA and data-logging  Cabling design  Radiometrics

 Networks  Site installation  Process

 PLC systems  Building services including
instrumentation

 Operator interfaces and HMIs
lighting, earthing, and power
distribution
 Safety system design and
substantiation.

 Bespoke electronics

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Control, Electrical and Instrumentation
Capability

Safety Engineering
Assystem have extensive experience in the design and substantiation of Safety Instrumented Systems
and are familiar with the requirements of IEC61508 and IEC61511. A number of our engineers have
undergone training in Sellafield Sites Ltd engineering guide for safety systems, EG90, and have also
successfully completed other customer specific but broadly applicable training in the realisation and
documentation of Safety Systems.

Toolsets
Our engineers are experienced in the use of a wide variety of tools and applications for the design and
development of software and hardware systems. We have a number of engineers with extensive
experience in the development of PLC systems, under IEC61131 and various customer specific
standards, for a variety of PLC platforms including Rockwell / Allen Bradley SLC series and Siemens S7.
We also have experience with older systems such as Allen Bradley PLC5 giving us the capability to
reverse engineer legacy systems in order to upgrade or replace them.

‘Reliability Workbench’ with ‘Fault Tree Plus’ are used for the design and validation of Safety Systems and
several of our engineers are trained and experienced in its use. Rapid development of test systems and
less critical control systems is undertaken using National Instruments LabView for which we have a full
development environment with many of the popular control and instrumentation sub-packages. We have
several engineers experienced with the use of real time operating environments such as VxWorks and
their application in the realisation of embedded real time systems.

Designs and drawings are produced using AutoCAD electrical which allows us to use a component based
approach to the creation of schematic diagrams and panel designs. Amtech is used for undertaking and
checking cable calculations.

All of our engineers are accustomed to being required to use a myriad of other proprietary and bespoke
packages as necessary to satisfy the requirements of specific projects. These include design tools,
software development systems and modelling packages.

Engineering Services Include:
Hardware Design: Overall Systems Integration - High Integrity Protection Control Systems - Safety
Instrumented Systems - Robotics & Remote Handling - Bespoke Electronics - MCC & Panel Design &
Wiring - HVDC - Cable Design - Building Management Systems - Industrial Networking - Process
Instrumentation - Power Distribution.

Software Design: PLC - Embedded Systems - SCADA & HMI Design and Testing.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Finite Element Analysis Capability

Finite Element Analysis
Finite element analysis is carried out as a bespoke service and also as part of larger projects. On larger
projects design and analysis engineers work within the same office and develop the designs concurrently.

FEA Capabilities
 Static, linear / non-linear analysis  Fatigue assessment

 Dynamic / impact analysis  Pressure vessel assessment

 Thermal transient analysis  Fracture assessment

 Design optimisation  Seismic assessment and analysis

 Robustness studies  Hyperelastic material (e.g. rubber) simulation

 Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)  Process simulation (e.g. pipe bending /

 DoE & response surface modelling
straightening)

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Finite Element Analysis Capability

Case Study: Flask Impact Design Substantiation
To support and substantiate the design of a nuclear storage flask and internal assembly, dynamic impact
analysis was performed by Assystem UK to show that the ability of the container to safely hold its contents
would not be comprised through any impact that could occur through being dropped during transit.
The flask has been designed to provide a safe
method of containment for nuclear material. The
flasks are to be kept in a storage facility where
drop scenarios are possible. Two drop heights
were analysed, each with nine different drop
orientations (see example, bottom right).
The FEA mesh of the flask components was
generated using Altair Hypermesh and analysed
using RADIOSS v.4.4u, both of which are part of
the Altair Hyperworks suite.
The study identified five different possible failure
modes, each of which was investigated for both
drop heights and all drop orientations. The mode
of most concern was the failure of the dynamic
sealing of the flask. This involves the seals
being momentarily misaligned during impact and
allowing the escape of a limited, but dangerous,
amount of gas.

The substantiation showed that, with the design and drop heights specified, the ability of the flask to hold
its contents would not be compromised. This design was physically tested at the Assystem UK workshop
facility, and all tests were in agreement with the above analysis.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Fracture Analysis Capability

Fracture Analysis
Fracture analysis is carried out as a bespoke service and also as part of larger projects within the Energy
and Nuclear division of Assystem UK Limited. Our analysis capabilities can be accessed at National or
local levels via our network of 10 UK service centres.
Assystem can perform R6 Procedure structural integrity assessments on structural components containing
defects.

Defects: (NDE, postulated, maximum Defects assumed in
reasonably foreseeable Virgin attachment welds.

Using R-CODE Assystem can define and subsequently assess geometry specific solutions.
Un-cracked and cracked finite element analysis models are used to generate crack opening stresses and
SIFs. Modification of geometry codes undertaken to account for specific geometry (SIF solution modified
using FEA results). Geometry code sensitivity is undertaken for each assessment.

Un-cracked geometry
Defect Maximum Minimum K
(mm) K (MPam) (MPam)
0.5 8.0 -21.2
1.0 9.1 -23.2
1.5 9.4 -23.5
4.0 7.8 -18.1 Cracked geometry

Critical flaw size calculations (calculates maximum defect size and proximity to brittle / plastic collapse).
Assystem can determine the limiting start of life defect size that would grow to the limiting critical flaw size
during the assumed operational life from which acceptance criteria (targets based on material toughness)
are specified.

General Failure Assessment Diagram Start of Life Defect Vs. End of Life Defect

Fatigue Crack Growth made under known cyclic loading

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Fracture Analysis Capability

Presentation of Margins of Safety
Fracture margins based on material fracture toughness with respect to operational temperatures (including
transition regions). These calculations account for crack tip plasticity and allow safe operating
temperatures to be identified

Cracked body analysis can be carried out for assessments against the
Failure Assessment Diagrams (FAD). Finite element analysis is used to
determine the Kr (J-integral) and Limit Load Analysis to determine Lr.
Pressure vessel design and assessment to all major codes
(ASME III / VIII, PD5500, EN13445 etc.)

Primary circuit and secondary side components (eg steam generators,
regenerative heat exchangers).

Design and hydrotest conditions and Level A (fatigue) operation. Recent assessments moving towards
strain predictions and away from stress linearisation (or planarisation).

Fatigue life evaluation (or re-
evaluation based on measured
transient blackbox information)
carried out in accordance with
design codes (eg ASME III) or
using modern stress-life and
strain-life techniques.
A key aspect in plant operation
is life extension (aging plant
or extension of existing
Safety Justifications) therefore
knowledge of pessimisms in
fatigue calculation is vitally
important.

Public domain RPV
Fatigue evaluation can be carried out elastically in accordance with design rule codes, or optionally,
elasto-plastically to check for shakedown as well as provide strain ranges for strain-based fatigue
calculation.

Non-linear material models
(e.g. nonlinear kinematic
plasticity) used in assessment
with life-cycle loading applied.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Civil Engineering Capability

Civil Engineering Services

range of product manufacturing and process sectors including Aerospace, Automotive, Defence, Energy,
Life Sciences, Naval and Nuclear industries.
Within these industries, Assystem have delivered civil engineering services in conjunction with other
aspects of the projects. We have a dedicated civil engineering team; capable of interacting with the
customer at all levels.
Our civil engineering capabilities can be accessed at national or local levels via our network of 10 UK
service centres.

Building Structural Design Market Sectors
(Design/Analysis and Detail)
 Defence
 Sub Structure
 Civil Nuclear
 Piled/pad foundations (BS 8004)  Health / Education / Residential
 Basements
 Retaining Walls (BS 8002)  Industrial / Commercial / Retail

Safety
 Super Structure
 CDM 2007
 Steel frame (BS 5950)
 Reinforced concrete (BS 8110)  Safety case
 Composite  Risk assessments

 Envelope
 Method statements
 Continued Operational Safety Reports
 Masonry (BS 5628) (COSR)
 Cold rolled cladding
 Concrete panels
 HAZOP/HAZCON

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Civil Engineering Capability

Structural Elements Survey / Structural Assessments
Design and Detailing  Topographical surveys/Desktop studies
 Steelwork (BS 5950 / BS EN 1993)  Condition/Refurbishment/Modification
 Mezzanines  Civil / Nuclear Decommissioning


Staircases/ platforms
Pipe bridges/plant support
 Impact Assessment
 Connections
 Modular Construction
Construction Documentation
 Concrete (BS 8110 / ACI 318M)
 Pre cast foundations, including
 Building Control Submissions
retaining walls  Basis of Designs
 Fire panels
 Flooring systems  Design Method Statements
 Industrial floor slabs
 Culverts/ bridges (BS 5400)
 Design Justifications Reports

Software
By utilising Assystem’s internal resource together with strategic partners, projects can delivered to clients
using a wide variety of design and analysis software seamlessly integrating with existing customer IT
infrastructure.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Nuclear Process Piping Capability

Nuclear Process Piping

range of product manufacturing and process sectors.

Nuclear Process Piping is carried out as a bespoke service and also as part of larger projects. On larger
projects design and analysis engineers work within the same office and develop the designs concurrently.

Our engineering capabilities can be accessed at national or local levels via our network of 10 UK service
centres.
Piping Capabilities
 Front End Piping Design
 P&IDs
 EFDs
 Detailed piping design
 Pipe support design
 Piping isometrics
 Flow calculations
 Pipe flow analysis
 Pipe stress analysis
 Fatigue analysis
 Pressure vessel assessment
 Seismic assessment and analysis
 Process simulation (e.g. pipe bending / straightening)
 HAZOP Studies

In-House Software
Design Flow Calculations Pipe Stress
 AutoCAD P&ID  Fluidflow  Caesar II
 AutoCAD Plant 3d  Flowmaster  Bentley AutoPIP (ADLPipe)
 Whessoe PSA5

PSA5

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Nuclear Process Piping Capability

Case Studies
Assystem has a wide ranging background of process piping experience with many examples in the
Nuclear sector.

CRTF Rig – Raynesway Engineering Laboratory
Full design of a rig to provide hot and pressurised water to two test
vessels. Assystem’s scope includes the front end initial design,
development of final design, detailed drawings, P&ID’s, flow
calculations and analysis, stress analysis, equipment and piping
support, flexibility analysis, HAZOP Studies and piping isometrics.

Wylfa Power Station - AETP Discharge Pipeline
Complete design and analysis for a replacement AETP discharge
pipeline. Assystem’s scope of supply included site surveys, design
of pipes and supports, detail drawings, fabrication drawings,
structural and stress analysis of pipes and supports, design of
secondary containment system and leak detection system.

Hunterston ‘A’ Decommissioning Site – Modifications to AETP
Design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of a
replacement delay tank and ancillary systems and pipework.
Assystem’s scope of supply included design of pipes and supports,
relocation of existing equipment, detail drawings, fabrication
drawings, structural and stress analysis of pipes and supports, tank
design and substantiation, design of secondary containment system
and leak detection system.

Trawsfynydd Fire Pump System – Improvements to meet Regulations
Design and analysis of new fire pump system to improve existing system. Extensions of existing lines
couples with new higher spec pumps to allow fire system to meet regulations. Assystem’s scope of supply
included flow calculations, pump selection, pump installation, flow analysis, pipework design, pipework
detailing, pipe supports and stress analysis.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Safety Engineering Capability

Safety Engineering Services

Assystem is a leading international group providing Engineering solutions across a broad range of product
design development life cycle stages including Aerospace, Automotive, Defence, Energy, Life Sciences,
Petro-chemical/Oil & Gas, Naval and Nuclear industries.
Assystem have a dedicated energy and nuclear safety engineering team capable of providing a full suite
of safety engineering services to all stages of a project life cycle.

Services
 The supply of safety services to Customer
requirements, including the role of Independent
Safety Assessor / Auditor
 Design, development & implementation of
Project Safety Management Systems
 Production and delivery of Product Safety Case
documentation

Safety Management Systems
Assystem Safety Management Systems capability
includes:

 Conventional and nuclear safety analysis

 Risk Management

 Human Factors Analysis

 Safety, HF and ARM training

 Operation / Safe Systems of Work

 Analysis and derivation of product availability,
reliability, maintainability and supportability
requirements
 Decommissioning and disposal

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Safety Engineering Capability

Safety Case
Production of Safety Case documentation provides a record of the
decision-making process.
Assystem will provide a full range of Safety Case documentation
including:

 Risk Assessment, risk reduction, cost benefit analysis and risk
acceptance to ALARP criteria
 Safety Standards and Strategy Development
 Physical and Functional Safety Assessments using the following
techniques:
 Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP)
 Hazard Identification (HAZID) and Hazard Analysis (HAZAN)
 Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
 Failure Modes Effects & Criticality Analysis (FMECA)
 Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
 Event Tree Analysis (ETA)

 Safety Engineering Services:

 Hazardous Area Classification
 Consequence assessments/hazardous material releases
 Fire safety assessment
 Chemical safety/occupational health risk assessment
 Explosion analysis
 Confined spaces risk assessment
 General risk assessment
 CDM design risk assessment
 Safety Integrity Level determination (Functional Safety – 61508/61511)
 Safety inspections/surveys
 Gap analysis/auditing of safety management systems.
 Pressure systems ‘Written Schemes of Examination’
 Pressure systems safety advice
 Pressure Equipment Directive

Quality
Assystem have the software capability to carry out safety assessments. The software can perform
techniques such as HAZOP, HAZID, HAZAN, FTA and ETA. PHAST software can be used for material
release and consequence analysis

Software
All Assystem UK sites are certified to BS EN ISO 9001:2008.

Cert No.
FM23790

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Seismic Analysis Capability

Seismic Analysis Services
Seismic analysis is carried out as a bespoke service and also as part of larger projects within the Energy
and Nuclear division of the company.

Our civil engineering capabilities can be accessed at national or local levels via our network of 10 UK
service centres.

Seismic Assessment Capabilities
 Seismic substantiation performed using the following methods:
 Static equivalent method
 Response spectra method
 Time history method
 Stress analysis performed using hand calculation methods
(MATHCAD) and finite element analysis
(ANSYS, ABAQUS & LS-DYNA)
 Code checks performed to BS 2573, BS 5950 and ASME III Level D

 Generation of artificial acceleration time histories (SIMQKE) for given response spectra

 Generation of secondary response spectra for given time earthquake time history data

Typical Structures Analysed

 Component parts

 Cranes/Lifting equipment, Mechanical structures

 Structural steelwork, Buildings

Quality
All sites are certified to BS EN ISO 9001:2008 for design and manufacture. The quality management
system is managed from head office and also by quality managers within each facility.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
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Seismic Analysis Capability

Case Study: Waste Vitrification Process (WVP)
Including details of Residue Export Facility (REF), In-Cell Cranes and Seismic De-
sign Substantiation
In support of the Design Substantiation Report (DSR) produced by
Sellafield Ltd., Assystem provided the as-built seismic design
substantiation of the In-Cell Cranes and their rail systems for WVP
REF. At the time, the equipment was already installed and
undergoing final commissioning but a robust seismic substantiation
from the design stage was lacking.

The substantiation was based on a response spectrum analysis of
beam element F.E. models of structures. These gave forces and
moments within structures from which code assessment of structural
members were made using spreadsheets whilst local design details
were assessed by hand calculations using Mathcad. Overhead Jib crane
The main body of the report reflected the DSR content whilst the supporting detail was placed in
appendices; this enabled Sellafield Ltd. to quickly transfer the required information into the DSR.

Substantiation required demonstration of the ability to meet a number of System Functional Requirements
against the Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) loading with a further demonstration of margins against cliff
edge effects, the Margins Earthquake (1.4 times DBE). This was achieved by demonstrating that the
design maintained an elastic and ductile response under the DBE, using a code based assessment, with a
performance based assessment to provide confidence against cliff edge effects.

The assessment was based on a demonstration of an understanding of the ultimate failure modes of the
structure, taking into account:

 Redundancy or alternate load paths
 Ultimate capacity of components
 Reduced loading due to increased damping

A significant part of this demonstration was achieved based on the reserves demonstrated against the
DBE loading; where this could not provide the required confidence then an assessment was made using
one of the following:

 Reasoned argument (simple or in depth) with no further analysis
 Additional simple analysis
 Additional in depth analysis

Although the assessment raised a number of technical challenges it was completed successfully; the
report was accepted with only a small number of minor comments.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
Tel.: +44 (0)1772 645 000 | Fax: +44 (0)1772 645 001

Marine Hydrodynamics Capability

Marine Hydrodynamic Services

range of product manufacturing and process sectors.
Marine hydrodynamics analysis is carried out as a bespoke service and also as part of larger projects.
Our engineering capabilities can be accessed at national or local levels via our network of 10 UK service
centres.

Capabilities
Marine hydrodynamic analysis performed using the following approaches:
 OrcaFlex
 Abaqus Aqua
 Simulink & SimMechanics
 Probability & Monte Carlo analyses
 Hand calculations

 Marine hydrodynamic and wave physics expertise
 Mathematical modelling and time-domain simulation
 Physical modelling, prototyping and testing methodology
 Wave analysis for specific marine locations to accurately
describe extreme events, and normal conditions to support
design specification
 Vessel motion analysis: RAO’s are used to convert
wave analysis into vessel motion analysis, for any position
on a vessel.

Vessel and wave motion analyses replace pessimistic rules of thumb and unnecessary safety factors and
feed into engineering design specification eliminating over-engineering and the associated costs and
difficulties it brings.

The above capabilities can add value to projects in many areas of offshore engineering.

Assystem UK has in-house experience in consulting and working within; offshore oil & gas, submarine
telecoms, marine defence, offshore wind, wave power generation and tidal power generation projects.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
Tel.: +44 (0)1772 645 000 | Fax: +44 (0)1772 645 001

Marine Hydrodynamics Capability

Case Study: Vessel Motion Analysis
Offshore equipment must be designed to withstand, or exploit, the forces and motions that are
experienced as a result of the waves and associated vessel motions. Vessel motion analysis acts to
provide a more complete understanding of what these forces and motions will be under normal
circumstances, and what extreme occurrences could be expected, and how often.

This understanding supports Lloyd’s and DNV codes and can feed straight into design reviews giving
engineers the confidence to choose more optimised designs or highlight potential issues to them. Thus
cost is saved through the reduction of over-engineering and time is saved through the reduction of design
iterations. It is most effective to use this approach as close to the concept design phase as possible.

The sample graphs below show common output types from vessel motion analysis. The upper graph
shows the probability distribution for exceeding a maximum surge acceleration within a specified time
window for a given position on a vessel. The lower graph shows what proportion of time is spent in
excess of a given resultant acceleration for a given position on a vessel.

In the examples shown the analysis was performed for given significant wave height values. All sea-states
of that height which occur at the location of interest were analysed, and the individual probabilities
combined and weighted appropriately to give a complete analysis for the wave heights of interest at the
location of interest.

The analysis shown below is specific
to one example, but similar analysis
can be tailored to customer needs. It
is common to perform similar
analysis for resultant and component
velocities and positions, as well as
accelerations. In addition, analysis
can be performed for water motions
or wave forces acting on subsea
equipment.

ENERGY & NUCLEAR
Tel.: +44 (0)1772 645 000 | Fax: +44 (0)1772 645 001

Assystem Capabilities

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