Local distortions were evident in a steel tank at Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL). A decision had to be made on how to best manage the asset, but insufficient information was available with respect to the performance of the distorted tank.

Emptying the tank for inspection was undesirable from a production perspective, so QAL requested Texcel investigate the possible causes and consequences of the distortions.

Texcel’s finite element investigation of the tank included a series of ‘what-if’ investigations aimed at duplicating the measured in-service behaviour of the local distortions. The investigation identified possible causes for the distortions and quantified the consequential changes in the tank stresses due to the distortion.

QAL utilised the information to make their decision regarding the ongoing management of the tanks.