Structural engineering for Skids in the Energy transition
MH Poly performs structural analyses and engineering calculations for FB Group on Skids of various sizes and applications. Each frame is assessed for strength, stiffness, and stability in accordance with the applicable standards, codes, and project specifications.
What is a Skid?
A Skid is a fully prefabricated process installation mounted on a structural steel frame. Modular construction enables process systems to be manufactured, assembled, and tested in a controlled environment before being transported and installed on site.
Within the energy transition, Skids are widely used for:
- Heat and energy systems
- Hydrogen installations
- Process plants
- Industrial energy solutions
- Heat exchanger and pumping systems
As these installations often contain heavy equipment and are regularly transported, accurate structural calculations are essential to ensure safety during fabrication, transport, lifting, and operation.
Structural assessment of Skid frames
Whenever a new Skid is developed, MH Poly is involved in the structural assessment of the supporting frame. Based on the design, all relevant load cases are identified and analysed.
The structural calculations include:
- Self-weight of the steel structure
- Loads from equipment and process components
- Transportation and lifting loads
- Wind and operational loads
- Stability and deflection checks
- Verification in accordance with the Eurocodes and project-specific requirements
For these analyses, MH Poly uses RFEM, an advanced structural analysis software package for finite element modelling and strength verification.
Projects ranging from small to large-scale installations
MH Poly has completed structural calculations for numerous Skids used in energy transition projects. These range from compact installations measuring approximately 6 metres in length and 4.8 metres in width to large-scale Skids measuring 17 metres long, 8.5 metres wide, and extending over two levels.
MH Poly’s structural engineering expertise ensures that these installations can be safely fabricated, transported, lifted, and commissioned at project sites across Europe.
Project scope
For this project, MH Poly carried out the following engineering activities:
- Structural modelling of the Skid in RFEM
- Determination of design loads in accordance with the Eurocodes and applicable regulations
- Strength, stiffness, and stability analyses
- Structural verification against applicable standards and project requirements
- Engineering advice on required structural modifications
- Optimization of the frame design in close cooperation with the client
- Preparation of a comprehensive structural calculation report, including verification results and engineering justification.
