5. Test equipment
To simulate the influence of immersion, two solutions are available: either hyperbaric chambers are used, or sea trials are carried out. Given the high cost of offshore operations and the difficulties of instrumentation, onshore testing is preferred. Equipment that simulates the effect of pressure has been developed to verify the environmental resistance of subsea equipment. This equipment, commonly known as "hyperbaric chambers", comes in a variety of sizes and capacities.
As an example, table 4 shows the characteristics of the equipment available at Ifremer (Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer). Figure 12 shows an example.
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Test equipment
Durability
Bibliography
Software tools
ABAQUS http://www.3ds.com/products-services/simulia/portfolio/abaqus/overview/
ADINA http://www.adina.com/index.shtml/
ANSYS http://www.ansys.com/
COMSOL http://www.comsol.com/
Websites
Ifremer, French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea http://www.ifremer.fr/
MaHyTec, manufacturer of composite cylinders http://www.mahytec.com
Events
Journées Nationales de Composites (JNC), a conference organized in France by AMAC (Association des Matériaux Composites) every two years, http://www.amac-composites.org/manifestations/journees-nationales-composites
JEC Europe, an annual trade show, forum and user conference organized...
Standards and norms
AFNOR NF X 10-812 Marine Environment, Oceanographic Equipment, Environmental Test and Recommendations for Test Equipment.
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