Oil and gas companies often go to very expensive measures to replace pipelines that are in danger of cracking and bursting, but a PhD student in engineering is part of an award-winning team finding ways to better determine how long a cracked pipeline will last in the field.

“This will help the oil industry to make informed decisions on whether or when a cracked segment of pipeline needs to be replaced,” says Hossein Ghaednia, a student in professor Sreekanta Das’s Center for Engineering Research in Pipelines.

Ghaednia recently presented a paper at the International Pipeline Conference in Calgary that finished among the top eight in a student paper competition. Co-authored by Ghaednia, former student Jorge Silva, and Dr. Das, the research detailed in the paper explains a new method of determining the remaining life of a cracked pipe under pressure cycles that an operating oil pipeline in the field actually experiences.

Ghaednia said underground pipes bear various complex loads from geotechnical movements, overburden earth pressure, and pressure from fluid that they transport. Oil and gas companies use inline inspection tools with high-tech ultra-sonic sensors and cameras mounted on them to determine if their pipes have developed cracks or other defects.

Cracks can lead to a disastrous rupture of pipelines, causing huge environmental and financial damages. Since the industry is currently unable to estimate the fatigue life of a cracked pipeline, they often replace the cracked segment right away as a preventative measure, which can be very expensive.

The model Ghaednia described in the paper could help the industry make better-informed decisions on when to take remedial action, Das said.

“Fatigue is something that’s really difficult to estimate,” said Ghaednia. “The way we estimate fatigue is new. It’s an old formula, but no one had ever used it for pipes.”

There were more than 1,300 delegates from industry and academia from all over the world at the conference, and many of them were impressed by the work, Ghaednia said.

“We got really good responses from the audience,” he said. “We got a lot of positive feedback and a lot of interest from various pipeline companies. I’m extremely proud to be part of Dr. Das’s group and I’m happy to contribute to the research and development the pipeline industry is thriving for.”

The University of Windsor Alumni Association will confer its Excellence in Mentoring Award on two veteran members of faculty—and UWindsor grads—during its annual general meeting on Thursday, November 15.

The award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated excellence by offering personal, academic and professional guidance to students, and made a significant contribution to their all-round development up to and following graduation.

This year’s recipients are law professor Donna Marie Eansor (LLB 1980) and kinesiology professor Margery Holman (BA 1968, BPE 1969).

Donna Marie Eansor.

Eansor is among the Ontario university and college faculty members selected by an external independent ministry-appointed committee as a recipient of the 2007 Leadership in Faculty Teaching award for teaching excellence, leadership, and innovation in teaching methods. A former associate dean, she has a long-standing interest in student wellness, academic support, and issues of aboriginality, racialization, gender, and disability.

Dr. Holman graduated in the university’s first class of the physical and health education program. She went on to teach and devoted her entire career to that program. In 1988, she created a landmark course on Gender in Sport and Physical Activity. Her commitment to excellence and equity and her love of sport has touched every student and former student in kinesiology.

The November 15 event will begin with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m. in the CAW Student Centre’s Ambassador Auditorium before the formal program begins at 6 p.m. The meeting and awards presentation are open to the public. If you plan to attend, RSVP by November 9 online at www.uwindsor.ca/alumni or e-mail alumni@uwindsor.ca.

Register now for Alumni Sports Hall of Fame reception

Don’t miss your chance—RSVP now for the 2012 induction ceremonies for the Alumni Sports Hall of Fame, on Sunday, November 11, at 2:30 p.m. in the Ambassador Auditorium.

This year’s inductees include pentathlete Beth (Stroud) MacIntosh (BHK 1995, BEd 1997, MHK 1998), Don Hollerhead (BPE 1975, BEd 1976) of the 1975 Yates Cup-winning Lancer football team, and basketball standouts Georgia Risnita (BA 1998) and Dan Devin (BA 1976, BEd 1977).

RSVP to www.uwindsor.ca/alumni or 519-971-3618.

The Centre for Enterprise and Law will host an information and networking event to educate students, faculty and staff on how to start their own businesses.

The free pizza and pop reception runs 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, in Vanier Hall’s Winclare A.
The event, entitled Evening with an Engineer, will bring two local engineers to discuss their newest patented technology and the successful starts of their own businesses.

All who wish to attend should RSVP to Nicole Sleiman at nsleiman@uwindsor.ca.

— by Chantelle Myers

Because Remembrance Day falls on a Sunday this year, the University will forego its traditional observance outside Memorial Hall in favour of encouraging participation in the community-wide event at Windsor’s cenotaph.

“The ceremony is significant in that we acknowledge the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,” says Mary-Ann Rennie of the office of the president. “We felt it would not be appropriate to hold a ceremony on the Friday before or the Monday following.”

The community observance will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, November 11, at the cenotaph located on University Avenue north of Windsor City Hall.

Campus flags will be lowered Friday, November 9, in observance of Remembrance Day.

The Psychological Services and Research Centre is offering a workshop on common problems experienced in romantic relationships—like jealousy, cheating, or dating violence—today, Monday, November 5, at 3 p.m. in the Centennial Room, Vanier Hall.

“When Romantic Relationships Go Wrong” will also explore healthy relationship behaviours that increase relationship satisfaction. The interactive workshop allows students to participate as much or as little as they wish.