Pipeline planning and condition assessment by means of SRA and QRA

Designing a technical system, e. g. a pipeline, must include the avoidance of endangering human life. By means of a safety assessment, pipeline operators can prove that their existing or planned pipeline is operated reliably and safely. There are numerous rules and regulations for constructing and operating a pipeline. However, a risk remains which can be quantified by specifying the failure probability or by verifying and assessing the consequences of a failure. This probabilistic assessment method is called SRA/QRA.

 

By means of a Structural Reliability Analysis – SRA the Veenker engineers determine the failure probability of a pipeline due to mechanical stress as well as due to third-party influence. The specialised engineers apply established probabilistic calculation algorithms. Based thereupon, the calculation and assessment of the consequences of pipeline damage can be carried out with a Quantitative Risk Analysis – QRA. The individual risk and the social risk are determined in accordance with international standards. By combining the probability of occurrence of pipeline failure (SRA) with the consequences of pipeline failure (QRA), the risk from the pipeline for a single person and for the society can be calculated and assessed.

 

The methods applied are based on the DIN EN ISO 16708 as well as additional regulations from European neighbouring countries, e. g. the Netherlands and Switzerland.

 

Since years, renowned pipeline operators have been relying on VEENKER and protect their pipeline planning and the integrity of their existing pipelines by means of SRA and QRA.