Meet WJE's API Inspection Summit Speakers

WJE’s presentations at the API Inspection Summit reflect our cross-disciplinary approach to inspection and asset integrity, bringing together expertise in materials performance, structural evaluation, failure investigation, and advanced inspection techniques. Drawing on experience across refineries, chemical and petro-chem facilities, and associated difficult-access environments, these sessions provide practical, inspection-focused insights to support informed decision-making for safety, reliability, and continued operation.

"What’s in the Steel?"
Bernie Schulze, Principal and Unit Manager
This presentation introduces steel from an inspection perspective, with an emphasis on how common steel manufacturing processes can lead to material defects. It explores typical manufacturing-related anomalies, how they form, and how they present during inspection, providing context for interpreting inspection data and understanding material condition in service.

"Assessment of a Shell-and-Tube style HF Alkylation Reactor with Longitudinal Grooving using AUT"
Scott Bouse, Senior Associate
A discussion of the assessment of a shell-and-tube hydrofluoric acid (HF) alkylation reactor featuring longitudinally grooved tubing using advanced automated ultrasonic testing (AUT). We will focus on how AUT was applied to characterize degradation mechanisms, evaluate shell integrity, and support fitness-for-service for continued operation.

"Updates for API 579 Thinning Assessments using high-density (AUT) thickness data"
Scott Bouse, Senior Associate
This presentation provides updates on API 579 Annex 4B providing guidance on performing thinning assessments when using high-density automated ultrasonic testing (AUT) thickness data. It discusses how advances in data resolution affect corrosion characterization, remaining strength calculations, and assessment methodologies, with a focus on improving accuracy and confidence in fitness-for-service evaluations.

"Concrete cracks – when should I care?"
Kurt Tyler, Senior Associate
An examination of concrete cracking from an inspection and asset integrity perspective, focusing on when cracks are benign cosmetic issues and when they indicate conditions that require further evaluation or action. We will discuss common causes of cracking, how crack characteristics relate to underlying distress mechanisms, and practical guidance for inspectors and engineers on recognizing cracks that may impact durability, safety, or serviceability of industrial structures and foundations.

"Seeing Between the Gridlines: Practical Insights on grid sizing in LTA Assessments"
Eisa Rahmani, Senior Associate
An exploration of how thickness grid sizing influences fitness-for-service results in API 579 Part 5 local thin area (LTA) assessments. This presentation highlights the tradeoffs between conservatism, accuracy, and practicality when selecting grid sizes and evaluation methods. Using a real-world case study, the discussion compares minimum-thickness and averaging approaches, showing how each method responds differently to grid refinement. The session provides practical guidance on balancing analysis accuracy with efficiency to achieve reliable, defensible assessment outcomes.

"Elevated Insights: Assessment of Structural Steel Structures in Process Facilities via Rope Access"
Luke Malm, Senior Associate and Daniel Pearson, Senior Associate
Structural steel in process facilities is essential but often aging and exposed to harsh conditions, requiring detailed assessment and repair. Traditional access methods like scaffolding and lifts can be costly or impractical, while drones may lack sufficient detail. This presentation highlights Industrial Rope Access (IRA) as a safe and efficient alternative, covering its fundamentals, safety, and operational practices. It also discusses assessment techniques, repair strategies, and data collection through real-world case studies. Designed for inspectors, engineers, and contractors, the session provides practical guidance for maintaining steel structures in complex industrial environments.
 

SOLUTIONS FOR THE PRESSURIZED WORLD

• Metallurgical consulting and testing
• Fracture mechanics assessment and fitness for service
• Nonlinear finite element analysis
• Materials and analytical modeling
• Metallurgical failure analysis
• Downstream and process industries
• Upstream oil and gas
   

WJE CRACKCALC™

Developed in-house, WJE CrackCalc™ is a software package that provides users the ability to perform fracture mechanics calculations using the methods described in API 579 / ASME FFS-1 Part 9 at much higher speeds and with more customizable options than previously available commercially.
 

STATE-OF-THE-ART LABORATORY

Our Janney Technical Center’s 70,000-square-foot testing and applied research facility includes a full array of chemistry, petrography, metallurgy, concrete and mortar, corrosion, and structural testing laboratories as well as environmental exposure chambers.
 

PROJECTS

Discover recent projects that highlight our expertise in addressing complex challenges. Each case study demonstrates our commitment to innovation and excellence.

KNOWLEDGE SHARING

We’re passionate about our work and believe it is our responsibility to share our experiences and lessons learned for the enrichment of our clients and the advancement of our industry. We hope you learn something new that helps you better understand and address a challenge you face in your own work in our Articles, Webinars, and Solving for Why libraries.
 

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