Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) is a fracture-mechanics-based analytical method used to determine whether a detected pipeline defect is safe to remain in service or requires immediate repair.

Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) is a fracture-mechanics-based analytical method used to determine whether a detected pipeline defect is safe to remain in service or requires immediate repair. ECA follows standards such as BS 7910, API 579-1/ASME FFS-1, and DNVGL-RP-F108 to evaluate defect criticality against actual operating conditions.

ECA evaluates:
• Defect dimensions — length, depth, and orientation relative to principal stresses.
• Material properties — fracture toughness, yield strength, tensile strength.
• Loading conditions — operating pressure, temperature, residual stresses, external loads.
• Environmental factors — corrosion growth rates, hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility.

ECA determines a critical defect size beyond which failure becomes likely, and calculates remaining life by projecting defect growth rates. This enables operators to make informed repair-or-monitor decisions, avoiding both unnecessary shutdowns and unsafe continued operation.

EMPIT’s CMI technology provides the defect characterization data that feeds ECA calculations — including corrosion depth profiles, active/passive classification, and geometry anomaly measurements. Accurate CMI data enables more reliable ECA outcomes and optimized maintenance decisions.