Engineering in the New Era
Chris Tam
EMAS AMC
EMAS 20th Anniversary Conference
8 November 2012
According to The American Heritage®
Dictionary of the English Language
en·gi·neer·ing (nj-nîrng) n.
1.a. The application of scientific and mathematical
principles to practical ends such as the design,
manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical
structures, machines, processes, and systems.
1.b. The profession of or the work performed by an
engineer.
2. Skillful maneuvering or direction: geopolitical
engineering; social engineering.
According to Oxford Dictionaries
(American English)
engineering Pronunciation: /ˌenjəˈni(ə)riNG/
noun
the branch of science and technology concerned with the
design, building, and use of engines, machines, and
structures.
1. the work done by, or the occupation of, an engineer.
2. the action of working artfully to bring something
about:if not for Keegan’s shrewd engineering, the
election would have been lost
According to the Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology (ABET):
ENGINEERING is the profession in which a knowledge of
the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study,
experience, and practice is applied with judgment to
develop ways to utilize economically the materials and
forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.
ABET is a non-profit and non-governmental accrediting agency for academic
programs in the disciplines of applied science, computing, engineering, and
engineering technology. ABET is a recognized accreditor in the United States
(U.S.) by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
40 years ago, in 1972
US$400
US$?????
US$2500
Offshore Engineering in the
eighties
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shallow to medium water depths
Mostly linear systems
Closed form solutions
Small scale or full scale testing
Allowable stress based design
Offshore research programs in
Europe and Americas
• Capabilities in solving complex nonlinear problems emerging
20 years ago, in 1992
Engineering in the new Millennium
• Increasing water depth with HP/HT
systems
• Limit state design
• Increased use of FPS and Dynamic
Risers
• Significant advancement in numerical
analysis methods
• Ability to solve large & complex
engineering problems quickly
• Lack of suitably qualified engineering
personnel – industry has to do more
with less!
Now, in 2012
Offshore Development Trend
- increasing water depth over time
Water Depths for USGOM Subsea
Projects 2002-2012
Progression of Subsea Pipeline Wall
Thickness Design through time
𝜎ℎ = 𝑃
1972
• 30m water depth
• Design mostly governed by
pressure containment
1992
• 500m water depth
• Design governed by
pressure containment and
hydraulic collapse
2012
• 2500m water depth
• Design mostly governed by
hydraulic collapse
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2𝑡
Timoshenko and Gere, “Theory of
Elastic Stability”, McGraw Hill, 2nd
Ed., 1961
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A Wiley Heyden Publication, 4th Ed., 1982
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Oman India Pipeline: Development of Design Methods for Hydrostatic Collapse
in Deep Water, Christophe Tam, Phillip Raven, Roy Robinson, Tom Stensgaard,
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A.M. Al-Sharif & Robert Preston, Offshore Pipeline Technology Conference
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20 years from now
Where are we heading?
• Information overflow ?
• Too much data ?
• Are Engineers better equipped now to deal
with the technical challenges?
• With the advance of numerical procedures,
are model or full scale testing “history”?
• How do we continue to do more with less?
• How do we groom the next generation of
engineers?
The Solutions?!
• People – the industry has significant people
issue – capabilities, experience, retirement.
People focus is paramount to our success.
• Processes – standardization, modernization,
improved efficiency & consistency, …, will
enable uniform execution and safe delivery
(of projects)
• Tools – need to push forefront of technology,
utilizing latest tools to enhance accuracy,
consistency and efficiency.
Thank you!
Happy 20th Anniversary to EMAS