Lets add on to this on the Ashland project:
"Reconstruction of the tank in Pennsylvania failed to conform in many significant respects with the applicable industry standard or with the terms of the contract for the project. The construction deficiencies attributable to reassembly however, did not materially contribute to the collapse of the tank."
The root cause of the Ashland catastrophe was brittle fracture.
Here is another one you may have not heard of which is interesting:
http://www.chemsafety.gov/news_releases/docs/CSBNewsReleaseAlliedTerminals12.8.08.pdfWhile all the information is not in on this incident, I would venture this will also be attributed to brittle fracture. Even though the welding sucked. And I bet in the legal wrangling the question will be were these butt strap replacements door sheet inserts (100% radiography) or inserts (spot only radiography). Went through this discussion with a client several years ago. Full radiography is chingles $$$. They elected to go spot with a full hydro. I still have the customers letter where this is what they wanted. My view is these are door sheets and require 100% radiography.
But I would never have taken this responsibility on my own. And if an inspector suspects something is hinky, LEAVE. Get away from the company then call anyone you think can help the situation if you feel it will do some good. Some company cultures are so bad nothing except them going out of business will ever change them. Do you want to die on that hill?
BABRT's