Is it by comparing with identical or similar systems already analyzed, by using support span & guide span charts and flexibility charts or just by intuition ? Can an analyst without adequate knowledge and experience do this suitably and quickly?

regards,

sam

Hi Sam,

Visual analysis? I suspect this is a term that would be defined many ways by many people.

Visual inspection of course is defined by ASME Section V and by ASNT. There are some very useful books available that address piping inspection.

"...Can an analyst without adequate knowledge and experience do this suitably and quickly...."

No, not suitably, regardless of how much time is used. Without training and experience, what would be the basis of an opinion?

Regards, John.

Sir,

We,too, depend on visual inspection of piping only in the case of least stress criticality.

By a system walk-down or squad check on piping fabrication isometric, it is assessed whether properly piping specification, layout and supporting have been carried out and the findings are recorded and correcting measures,if any are carried out.

Nowadays, we are facing lack of thinking capability in stress analysts; divergence - broadening the possibilities followed by convergence - narrowing the possibilities is not really attractive enough to one fully submerged in the tunes of ipod or mobile phone. Many act in seconds, filling up a long check-list without thinking at all!

regards,

sam