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| Inspection Related Projects |
MERL has extensive experience in the design, development, testing and
inspection of the manufacturing processes of large-scale, structural
elastomeric bearings. Such bearings have been included in projects
in the civil, oil & gas and defence sectors. |
Civil engineering industry
For the civil engineering sector and specifically for base isolation
purposes MERL has been involved in the following projects:
1989 British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL) New-build (pipe bridges),
earthquake protection, for nuclear fuel reprocessing facility in
Cumbria UK. Role; to observe manufacturing process and acceptance
testing (100% basis) for over 200 bearings produced to very stringent
stiffness requirement (+/- 5%). Sign off acceptance for delivery
to customer.
1990 Ministry of Defence (MOD) New build submarine handling facility,
review of design, testing and manufacturing of bearings. Provision of annual
in-situ inspection of components.
1995 Kang Nam Tower (Seoul) New-build, vibration isolation system for
commercial property in Korea. Role; to observe static stiffness testing
and dynamic tests on random (spot-check) basis, report to design architect
(WIA Oakland CA.).
1998 San Francisco 911 Emergency Operations Center CA. New-build, base
isolation project. Working closely with structural engineer (Forell
Elsesser San Francisco CA - shown below during construction) to
review specifications and provide informed view regarding
submitted data. Review manufacturing processes and laboratory equipment
and monitor throughout prototype and production phases.
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1999 Hearst Memorial Mining Building University of California at Berkeley
- shown below. Retro-fit base isolation project incorporating 136 high-damping
elastomer bearings. Reporting to structural engineers (Rutherford & Chekene),
MERL were required to review specifications and comment, witness and report
on all
aspects of manufacture and testing from prototype scale model tests to
production bearing manufacture and acceptance testing.
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2000/01 Jazz @ Lincoln Center New York City New Build vibration isolation system incorporating structural vibration isolation bearings. Working with acoustic control consultant providing design and inspection services.
2001/03 LAC+USC Medical Center Replacement Project Los Angeles CA. New build providing seismic isolation via high-damping elastomer bearings. MERL is currently providing Inspection and Testing services to LA County, reporting to the IOR (OSHPD).
2002/03 HOAG Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, East Tower Newport Beach CA. New build providing seismic isolation via high-damping elastomer bearings. MERL is currently providing Inspection and Testing services to the Owner, reporting to the IOR (OSHPD).
Oil and gas industry
Projects have included the design analysis, and third party inspection
and audit of flexelements for tension leg platforms (TLP) and steel
catenary risers (SCR). TLPs are buoyant oil rig structures tethered
to the seabed
by means of rigid
steel columns
in water depths up to 1000m. In order to avoid fatigue loading of the
columns flexible joints (flexelements) comprising bonded rubber/steel
layers are provided at each end of each column (normally sixteen columns).
The integrity and stability of these massive structures relies entirely
on the satisfactory performance of the flexelements which are required
to perform for the lifetime of the rigs. MERL has provided quality
assurance and manufacturing audits as well as full-time inspection
of production and testing processes for these projects. |
Section through eighth scale rubber-steel laminated
flexelement
used
on offshore tension leg platforms
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