CostFX Phase III

The CostFX joint industry project (JIP) has the overall objective of making blast loads more realistic and less conservative, which will reduce cost and time of piping design.

Design of piping systems against blast is today based on overly conservative static loads that are applied over a larger area than reality. In addition, loads that occur in only a small, narrow part of an area, are applied generally.

By utilizing full-scale experiments and validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element (FE) methods, the earlier phases of CostFX have established a new way to find and represent realistic loads. Phase III will make the method operational and develop a new simplified design approach that can be applied by piping designers

Objectives of the CostFX JIP Phase III

Phase III aims to fundamentally modify explosion design for piping systems by delivering:

• Refined load methodologies using validated spatial and temporal
  load effects
• A prescriptive, streamlined design method supported by tables,
  design charts, and simplified workflows
• Screening method validated from high-fidelity FE simulations to accelerate engineering iterations and minimize accuracy loss
• Performance-based design pathways enabling transparent and
  technically sound safety margins
• Improved safety factor definition, leveraging statistical load data.

Benefits for the industry

Building on extensive experiments, validated simulations and industry collaboration across Phases I and II, Phase Ill will deliver a new recommended practice (RP) for piping blast design. The RP will describe establishment of less conservative blast loads and efficient methods for response assessment that replace outdated conservatism with transparent, data-driven engineering.

The Phase III methodology will support:

• More consistent and efficient explosion design processes
• Reduced conservatism based on improved understanding of load
  dynamics
• Optimized piping layouts with fewer supports and reduced steel
  usage
• Lower engineering effort for both load determination and structural
  response assessment
• A harmonized framework that can be adopted across operators,
  EPCs, and engineering contractors.

Project details

The JIP will be managed by DNV. Phase III is planned to be kicked off in Q3/2026, with an expected duration of approximately 16 months. 

Organizations that join Phase III will:

• Be able to influence the JIP scope of work
• Gain early access to design tools, datasets and RP drafts
• Influence how the new RP is shaped and implemented
• Gain competitive advantage through early adoption of reduced‑conservatism design
• Be part of a cross‑industry alignment, reducing future rework and interpretation gaps
• Profit from shared cost and shared learning across operators, EPCs and engineering firms.

Participation ensures your organization helps define the design practice others will follow.

Project status

The JIP proposal has been distributed to the industry and is open for participants to join. Information meetings will be arranged as needed.