Identifying and Understanding Risk of Acoustic-Induced Vibration Failures

One source suggests that 10-15% of piping failures are a result of fatigue from vibration. Piping vibration can be caused by multiple different mechanisms such as flow-induced turbulence, slug flow, mechanical excitation from machinery, and acoustic pulsation. These mechanisms are often observed by plant operators since they present themselves during normal operation. Acoustic-induced vibration (AIV) on the other hand, in pressure relief lines and downstream of control valves used for blow-down (BDV), is difficult to identify since the vibration is not readily observable unless the valves are opened.