Optimisingsteel structuresbeyond the standardOUR CORE COMPETENCESOUR MISSIONTo provide a full range of optimised metal structures engineering, by integrating materials and manufacturing processing know-how, from processing and characterisation of materials to numerical simulation completed by component testing to the integration in their application.4. Design and specicationsThe three R&D elds mentioned above are combined to allow innovative and cost-ecient structural design incl. applying defect acceptance criteria. The Metal Structures Centre engineers master each load case and know how to translate them into specications for the material and manufacturing.Conceptual and detailed designSelection of the most suitable materials3. Simulation and testingThe Metal Structures Centre oersstate-of-the-art equipment for heavy duty projects.Laboratory Soete is widely recognised for its curved wide plate testingStatic and fatigue tests ranging from small specimens to testing of real-size components on a reinforced oor for large scale experimentsLinear and non-linear FEA including crack growth Some specic examples:- Stability of subsea pipelines and oshore structures- Evaluation of external damage to buried pipelines- Design of crack arrestors to ensure pipeline integrity2. Joining and weldingJoining and welding are crucial for the mechanical performance and the manufacturing cost of a structure. The Metal Structures Centre can assist you in developing joining and welding guidelines.Development of new girth welding techniques for pipelinesWelding techniques from TIG to multi-wire submerged arc welding Formulation of welding guidelinesThreaded connections and mechanical joining of tubular products for oil and gas applications1. Metal behaviour and corrosionMaterial selection is of paramount importance in every project. The Metal Structures Centre is a leading coordination centre for R&D in metallurgy and behaviour of metals.Evolution of the mechanical properties from fabrication process up to installationSelection of the most suitable steel gradesResearch on CO2 and hydrogen transportCorrosion investigation for sweet and sour serviceOUR FACILITIESFlexible reinforced test oor for small and large scale static and dynamic testing.Metal Structures Centre testing facilities encompass amongst others:- Curved wide plate tensile testing- Resonant bending fatigue set-up for pipes- Instrumented Charpy toughness and BDWTT impact testing- TIG, MIG/MAG, SAW (up to 5 wire), tandem/twin arc, magnetic pulse, friction, laser & laser MAG hybrid welding- Fracture mechanics testing incl. SENB, SENT, CT- Static testing (up to 8000 kN) and dynamic testing (up to 2500 kN force)- Testing at design temperature: from cryogenic to high temperature- Small, medium and large scale tribotestersYOUR BENEFITSMulti-disciplinary expertise for larger or specic metal structures. Coordination centre for partners with expertise in material, fabrication and structural behaviour.One single entry point to combine numerical simulation capacity and test equipment.A UNIQUE CONSORTIUMThe Metal Structures Centre combines the strength and skills of three independent researchand development labs working in the eld of pipelines, plates and steel structures.OCAS, a steel R&D centre with a proven track record in metallurgy, welding, corrosionand numerical simulation design.Ghent university (Laboratory Soete), widely recognized as a leading lab in experimentalfracture mechanics, tribology and fatigue.Belgian Welding Institute (BIL), a state-of-the-art welding research institute investigatingwelding procedures for pipelines, pressure vessels, wind mills, bridges, etcCONTACT INFORMATIONmarc.vanderschueren@metalstructures.be - www.metalstructures.be