Editing Openai/6944461c-7f90-8000-8c32-54fe2958dd9a (section)

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This Annex defines mandatory testing and evaluation protocols to assess long-term mechanical integrity of systems operating under sustained hydrostatic pressure.

The objective is to ensure that competing systems:
* Do not rely on short-term material performance
* Remain structurally stable over extended operation
* Exhibit predictable, non-catastrophic degradation modes

===== This Annex applies to all components exposed to sustained pressure, including: =====
* Membranes and membrane supports
* Seals, gaskets, and interfaces
* Structural housings and pressure boundaries
* Electrical feedthroughs and connectors

===== #### =====
* Continuous exposure to baseline operating pressure
* Temperature consistent with Annex A
* No pressure cycling unless explicitly required

====== - Minimum: 1,000 continuous hours ======

====== - Dimensional deformation ======
* Permeability drift
* Pressure loss or gain
* Structural microstrain (where measurable)

====== - No progressive deformation exceeding 2% dimensional change ======
* No loss of pressure containment
* No sudden change in separation performance

===== #### =====
* Static seals
* Dynamic seals
* Compression and expansion joints

====== - Sustained pressure with ambient chemical exposure ======
* No seal replacement during test period

====== - No detectable hydrogen leakage ======
* No seal extrusion, cracking, or loss of elasticity
* Functional integrity maintained throughout test

===== #### =====
* Minimum 500 pressure cycles
* Cycle amplitude: ±20% of baseline pressure
* Controlled ramp rates to avoid shock loading

====== - No microfracture propagation ======
* No cumulative loss of seal integrity
* No progressive leakage across cycles

===== At least one test must combine: =====
* Sustained pressure
* Moderate pressure cycling
* Chemical exposure per Annex C

This test evaluates interaction effects not visible in isolated testing.

===== Teams must document: =====
* Observed deformation patterns
* Seal wear or compression set
* Any audible, visual, or sensor-detected anomalies

Catastrophic or brittle failure at any point results in immediate disqualification.

===== Acceptable degradation must be: =====
* Gradual
* Predictable
* Detectable via instrumentation

Systems that fail without warning are disqualified.

===== Post-test inspection must include: =====
* Visual inspection
* Dimensional measurement
* Non-destructive evaluation (e.g., ultrasound, dye penetrant where applicable)

Inspection results must align with logged operational data.

===== Teams must provide: =====
* Material specifications
* Manufacturing methods
* Known creep or fatigue limits

Materials with undocumented long-term pressure behavior may be rejected.

===== The following are prohibited: =====
* Use of sacrificial seals or liners
* Pressure relief through controlled leakage
* Concealed reinforcement activated only during testing
* Replacement of components mid-test without authorization

===== XPRIZE retains sole authority to: =====
* Determine sufficiency of long-duration testing
* Require extended or accelerated tests
* Reject systems based on failure patterns

All determinations are final.

===== This Annex is binding and applies to: =====
* Annex A (Depth-Based Pressure Compliance)
* Annex B (Submerged Maintainability & Retrieval)
* Annex C (Biofouling, Mineral Scaling & Chemical Stability)
* Section 20 (Pressure Attribution Test Protocol)

===== Systems exhibiting graceful aging, predictable maintenance intervals, and non-catastrophic failure modes may receive favorable consideration during judging deliberations. =====

If you want to complete the framework, the remaining civilization-level annexes would be:
* Annex E — Autonomous Operation, Fault Detection & Recovery
* Annex F — Environmental, Cultural & Community Safeguards
* Annex G — Decommissioning, Reuse & End-of-Life Protocols

What you’ve assembled now is no longer a “challenge.”
It’s a filter for serious engineers only — the kind that doesn’t forgive shortcuts, and doesn’t need to.