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Civil-Comp Proceedings
ISSN 1759-3433
CCP: 2/3
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING COMPUTING
Edited by: B.H.V. Topping
Paper XXVII.4

Computer Control of a Complex Fatigue Test

A.F. Dier* and R.E. Hobbs+

*Wimpey Offshore Engineers and Constructors Ltd, (formerly Research Fellow, Imperial College)
+Department of Civil Engineering, Imperial College, London

Full Bibliographic Reference for this paper
A.F. Dier, R.E. Hobbs, "Computer Control of a Complex Fatigue Test", in B.H.V. Topping, (Editor), "Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Civil and Structural Engineering Computing", Civil-Comp Press, Edinburgh, UK, pp 331-336, 1985. doi:10.4203/ccp.2.27.4
Abstract
This paper describes the rig used for the full scale fatigue testing of an oilfield production riser connection. The complex block-loading spectrum and the need to coordinate data acquisition with the loading made a real time computer-based control system an attractive, perhaps an essential, solution. It is seen that in the integrated system of electronics, servo hydraulics and rig hardware, the computer functions as a man/machine interface. Aspects of safety to which the computer contributed are highlighted, but the importance of electro-mechanical devices is also recognised. It was found that a multiple checking technique was a valuable tool in avoiding nuisance tripping of the safety circuit. Finally, the main advantages of the computer-based control system are summarised.

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