Fitnet Fitness-for-Service Procedure; An Overview

Abstract

This paper gives the overview of the newly developed FITNET Fitness-for-Service (FFS) Procedure within the framework of the European fitness-for-service network – FITNET project. The FITNET project was a four and half years project with the objective of developing and extending the use of FITNET FFS Procedure for welded and non-welded metallic structures throughout Europe. It is partly funded by the European Commission within the fifth framework program and launched at February 2002 (Proposal No.Contract No. GIRT-CT-2001-05071). The network worked with over 50 organisations from sixteen European and three non-European countries representing various industrial sectors and academia. Further information can be found in the FITNET TN website: http://www.eurofitnet.org. The FITNET FFS Procedure provides sets of analysis options and flaw assessment guidelines for engineering structures by aiming to achieve better design principles, support for fabrication of new components and prevention of service failures due to fracture, fatigue, creep and corrosion damages. The FITNET FFS Procedure is developed, validated and processed within the framework of the CEN Workshop Agreement W22 under the guidance of the Italian standardization organization (UNI). Therefore, it aims to become a European (CEN) standard (via CEN Workshop Agreement 22) for assessing the structural significance of postulated or real flaws (cracks, welding defects, and corrosion damage etc.) This procedure can be used to establish the size limits for defects in various engineering structures and can provide substantial cost savings in operating such structures. The use of the FITNET FFS Procedure involves making an assessment of a component containing a defect to ensure its structural integrity for its intended design life or until its next inspection period. The outcome of the assessment of a component in service will be a decision to operate as is, repair, monitor (including re-setting of inspection intervals), or replace.