Remaining Life Assessment of High Strength Steel Piping Welds

This technical report discusses the development of a remaining life assessment service for high-strength ferritic heat-resistant steel piping welds using AI-based image analysis. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has recognized the challenges posed by the retirement of experienced technicians and the increasing age of plant facilities, necessitating a shift towards automated maintenance solutions. The report outlines the creep damage that affects high-strength ferritic steel piping and the traditional methods of assessing remaining life, which are time-consuming and reliant on expert evaluation. It introduces an innovative image processing technology that utilizes AI to automate the identification of voids in the welds, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of life assessments. The report details the methodology behind the AI technology, including the teacher label correction technique, which allows for the generation of labeled images from a limited dataset. This advancement aims to improve the reliability of maintenance services and support the stable operation of plant facilities over the long term.