Integrity Assessment of API 5L X65 and X70 Pipelines With Mechanical Damages

Author(s):  
Kyu Jung Yeom ◽  
Yong Kwang Lee ◽  
Kyu Hwan Oh ◽  
Cheol Man Kim ◽  
Woo Sik Kim

Gas pipelines with mechanical damages could affect the structural integrity and causes local stress and strain concentration. Failures in gas pipeline as leakages that could affect the supply of gas, loss of production, and environmental pollution. It is important to determine if pipelines are fitness-for-service. ASME B31G code is still widely used criterion although the assessment method is the conservative method. Further examinations are needed on the effects of material grade and pipeline shape on the burst pressure of damaged pipelines. The goal of this paper is to predict the failure pressure of mechanical damaged made of API X65 and X70 pipelines, by conducting full scale burst tests and finite element analysis (FEA). Different pipeline grades, effects of gouges, and dent depths were considered for an integrity assessment. The full scale burst tests were performed for pipelines with artificial mechanical damage. The gouge defect was made in a V-notch shape and the dented pipeline was generated using a ball shaped indenter that was pressed into the pipe. A three dimensional FEA was performed to obtain the burst pressure of a pipe with gouge and dent defects as a function of defect depth and length. A FEA was used to simulate the and externally damaged pipes under internal pressure. Failure pressure was predicted with stress based and strain based assessments by the finite element method (FEM).

Author(s):  
Chike Okoloekwe ◽  
Matthew Fowler ◽  
Amandeep Virk ◽  
Nader Yoosef-Ghodsi ◽  
Muntaseer Kainat

Abstract Dents in a pipe result in alteration of its structural response when subjected to internal pressure. Excavation activities further lead to change in load and boundary conditions of the pipe segment which may exacerbate the stress state within the dented region. Depending on the severity of a dent, excavation under full operating pressure may lead to failure, injuries or fatalities. Although uncommon, an incident has been reported on a gas pipeline where a mechanical damage failed during investigation leading to one death and one injury [10]. While current pipeline regulations require that operators must depressurize a line to ensure safe working conditions during repair activities, there are no detailed provisions available in the codes or standards on how an operator should determine such a safe excavation pressure (SEP). As a result, the safe excavation process of dents has received attention in the industry in recent years. A detailed review of the recent research on dent SEP showed that the current recommendations are primarily dependent on one of two aspects: careful assessment of inline inspection (ILI) data, or a fitness for service (FFS) assessment of the dent feature leveraging numerical models. Enbridge Liquid Pipelines had previously demonstrated a feature specific assessment approach which incorporated both ILI data and finite element analysis (FEA) to determine the SEP. This assessment also accounted for uncertainties associated with material properties and ILI tool measurement. In the previous publication, the authors demonstrated a methodology for assessing the SEP of dents at a conceptual level from both deterministic and reliability-based standpoints. In this paper, a validation study has been performed to compare the results of fracture mechanics based FEA models against ten full scale burst tests available in literature. The study showed good agreement of the burst pressure of dent-crack defects predicted by FEA models with those observed in the full-scale tests. The assessment method is further streamlined by incorporating the API 579 [14] Failure Assessment Diagram (FAD) method on an uncracked FEA model as opposed to explicitly incorporating the crack geometry in the FEA model. The results of FEA in conjunction with FAD are compared with the full-scale tests to ensure accuracy and conservatism of burst pressure prediction. A reliability-based approach is then designed which accounts for the uncertainties associated with the analysis. A case study is presented where the reliability-based SEP assessment method has been implemented and feature specific SEP has been recommended to ensure target reliability during excavation.


Author(s):  
Gurumurthy Kagita ◽  
Gudimella G. S. Achary ◽  
Mahesh B. Addala ◽  
Balaji Srinivasan ◽  
Penchala S. K. Pottem ◽  
...  

Abstract Mechanical damage in subsea pipelines in the form of local dents / buckles due to excessive bending deformation may severely threaten their structural integrity. A dent / buckle has two significant effects on the pipeline integrity. Notably, residual stresses are set up as result of the plastic deformation and stress concentrations are created due to change in pipe geometry caused by the denting / buckling process. To assess the criticality of a dent / buckle, which often can be associated with strain induced flaws in the highly deformed metal, integrity assessment is required. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the severity of dent / buckle in a 48” subsea pipeline and to make the rerate, repair or replacement decision. This paper presents a Level 3 integrity assessment of a subsea pipeline dent / buckle with metal loss, reported in in-line inspection (ILI), in accordance with Fitness-For-Service Standard API 579-1/ASME FFS-1. In this paper, the deformation process that caused the damage (i.e. dent / buckle) with metal loss is numerically simulated using ILI data in order to determine the magnitude of permanent plastic strain developed and to evaluate the protection against potential failure modes. For numerical simulation, elastic-plastic finite element analyses (FEA) are performed considering the material as well as geometric non-linearity using general purpose finite element software ABAQUS/CAE 2017. Based on the numerical simulation results, the integrity assessment of dented / buckled subsea pipeline segment with metal loss has been performed to assess the fitness-for-service at the operating loads.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 6135
Author(s):  
Suria Devi Vijaya Kumar ◽  
Michael Lo Yin Kai ◽  
Thibankumar Arumugam ◽  
Saravanan Karuppanan

This paper discusses the capabilities of artificial neural networks (ANNs) when integrated with the finite element method (FEM) and utilized as prediction tools to predict the failure pressure of corroded pipelines. The use of conventional residual strength assessment methods has proven to produce predictions that are conservative, and this, in turn, costs companies by leading to premature maintenance and replacement. ANNs and FEM have proven to be strong failure pressure prediction tools, and they are being utilized to replace the time-consuming methods and conventional codes. FEM is widely used to evaluate the structural integrity of corroded pipelines, and the integration of ANNs into this process greatly reduces the time taken to obtain accurate results.


Author(s):  
Justin Gossard ◽  
Joseph Bratton ◽  
David Kemp ◽  
Shane Finneran ◽  
Steven J. Polasik

Dents created by third party mechanical damage are a severe integrity threat to onshore and offshore transmission pipelines. This type of damage is often associated with metal loss, which can be introduced during the initiation of a dent or develop as a result of the presence of a dent and associated coating damage. Once a dent has been found to be associated with metal loss through excavation, there is little guidance to determine the serviceability of the anomaly. In this study, dents with associated metal loss due to corrosion examined in the field are evaluated to determine the contribution of the interacting dent and metal loss features to the associated burst pressure of the feature. Twenty dents with metal loss flaws were identified through an ILI survey while in service to capture dimensions of the dent and metal loss features. Each site was excavated and measured using a laser scanner. The laser scanner produced 3D imaging with sufficient resolution of both the dent and metal loss areas as a 3D surface mesh. The 3D surface mesh was transformed into a 3D solid mesh and analyzed using a finite element analysis software package in order to determine a predicted internal pressure that would cause failure. A subsequent statistical assessment was performed to analyze the relationship between the ILI measurements and the predicted burst pressure resulting from finite element analysis of each dent with metal loss feature. Statistical analyses were used to evaluate the prediction capabilities of burst pressures of dent with metal loss features identified through ILI, prior to excavation and direct examination.


Author(s):  
Huifeng Jiang ◽  
Xuedong Chen ◽  
Zhichao Fan

Heretofore, several kinds of codes are applicable to the structural integrity assessment for pipe containing defects, i.e. API 579, R6 and BS 7910 etc. In this paper, different methods from API 579-1/ASME FFS-1: 2007 and R6-2000 were employed to assess the integrity of pipe containing a circumferential through-thickness crack. However, there was a significant difference between the calculated load ratios by these two codes, although the calculated fracture ratios were very close. To verify these results, elastic-plastic finite element analysis was carried out to calculate the limit load and the load ratio. Additionally, the experimental results and our previous engineering experience were also referred to. The final results imply that the larger load ratio obtained from R6-2000 rather than API 579 code is more reasonable for the pipe with good fracture toughness.


Author(s):  
Xian-Kui Zhu ◽  
Brian N. Leis

Three-dimensional elastic-plastic finite element analysis (FEA) is performed in this paper to simulate the complicated stresses and deformation of wrinklebends in a pipeline from its bending formation to operation under cyclic loading. Three plastic hardening models (isotropic, kinematic and combined isotropic/kinematic) are discussed and used in FEA of wrinklebend response that considers strain hardening and Bauschinger effects. The FEA simulation is carried out first for an elbow held at constant pressure while subject to cyclic bending, which serves as a benchmark case. The results show that the three hardening models lead to very different outcomes. Comparable FEA simulations are then developed for wrinklebends under cyclic pressure. Detailed parametric analysis is considered, including finite-element type, element sensitivity, computation time, and material input data. Based on those results viable nonlinear FEA model is developed as the basis to quantify wrinklebend response under service-like conditions. Based on the FEA results, fatigue damage is quantified using the Smith, Watson and Topper (SWT) parameter, and thereafter a damage criterion is proposed to predict the fatigue life of a wrinklebend under the pressure cycles of 72%–10% of SMYS for typical X42 pipeline steel. The results show that the wrinkle aspect ratio H/L is a key parameter to control the service life of a wrinklebend.


Author(s):  
Adrian F. Dier ◽  
Philip Smedley ◽  
Gunnar Solland ◽  
Hege Bang

This paper reviews available static strength data and presents results of finite element analyses on first crack loads and ultimate loads of X-joints in tension. A critique of existing guidance for such joints is given. An examination of hot spot stress for such joints is presented, together with new capacity formulations based on test data. The new formulations are verified with reference to new data from a finite element analysis. The new capacity formulations will be of interest to regulatory authorities, to designers of new offshore installations and to engineers carrying out assessments of existing structures. It is also expected that the formulations will be considered by code drafting committees, e.g. for API RP2A, ISO 19902 and NORSOK, during code revisions. The paper demonstrates that present guidance is unduly conservative in two respects: (1) high γ joints (i.e. thin-walled chords) in the range 0.7 ≤ β ≤ 0.9 joints (i.e. moderately high brace/chord diameter ratios), and (2) joints with β = 1.0 having low γ. However, it is shown that present guidance may be optimistic for low γ joints with β < 0.9. The new capacity formulations proposed in this paper correct these deficiencies. As one example, the new formulations give an increase of 60% in capacity compared to existing guidance for a joint with β = 1.0 and γ = 10, not untypical of many joints in service. In the near term, the paper may be most appreciated by those involved with structural integrity assessment studies. There have been some recent examples where existing guidance has indicated that some primary structural joints are under-strength. This has prompted extensive numerical work to prove the adequacy of the joints. A worst case scenario would be the implementation of unnecessary offshore strengthening work.


2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinjian Duan ◽  
Michael J. Kozluk ◽  
Sandra Pagan ◽  
Brian Mills

Aging steam generator tubes have been experiencing a variety of degradations such as pitting, fretting wear, erosion-corrosion, thinning, cracking, and denting. To assist with steam generator life cycle management, some defect-specific flaw models have been developed from burst pressure testing results. In this work, an alternative approach; heterogeneous finite element model (HFEM), is explored. The HFEM is first validated by comparing the predicted failure modes and failure pressure with experimental measurements of several tubes. Several issues related to the finite element analyses such as temporal convergence, mesh size effect, and the determination of critical failure parameters are detailed. The HFEM is then applied to predict the failure pressure for use in a fitness-for-service condition monitoring assessment of one removed steam generator tube. HFEM not only calculates the correct failure pressure for a variety of defects, but also predicts the correct change of failure mode. The Taguchi experimental design method is also applied to prioritize the flaw dimensions that affect the integrity of degraded steam generator tubes such as the defect length, depth, and width. It has been shown that the defect depth is the dominant parameter controlling the failure pressure. The failure pressure varies almost linearly with defect depth when the defect length is greater than two times the tube diameter. An axial slot specific flaw model is finally developed.


2011 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve K. Bate ◽  
P. John Bouchard

The continued safe and reliable operation of plant invariably has to consider the assessment of defects in welded structural components. This requires some estimate of the residual stresses that have developed during the welding fabrication process. For as-welded structures these stresses can be of yield magnitude. Engineering critical assessment procedures such as R6, BS 7910, FITNET and API 579-1 provide simplified estimates, bounding profiles or advice on detailed analysis or measurement which can be applied to provide conservative estimates of the remaining life of plant. The use of finite element analysis (FEA) is being applied more frequently to predict residual stresses in welded components for assessment purposes. This calculation involves complex non-linear analyses with many assumptions. As a consequence, the accuracy and reliability of solutions is variable. In order to improve the consistency of weld modelling, and hence the accuracy and confidence in their use, a set of Guidelines covering the calculation of residual stresses have been developed. The residual stress calculations need to be validated before the results can be used in assessments and guidance on how to demonstrate the required standard of validation proof is provided with these Guidelines. The level of validation required, depends on the problem being solved and the sensitivity of the assessment to the presence of residual stress. For example a high level of validation may be required for assessments of safety critical plant. To support these calculations, measurements are required and a series of ‘Weld Residual Stress Benchmarks’, describing welded mock-ups which have been measured using various measurement techniques, are being collated which the users can then refer to when validating their finite element modelling techniques and thus provide a greater confidence in the predicted results.


Author(s):  
Xian-Kui Zhu ◽  
Brian N. Leis

Plastic collapse analysis and remaining burst strength determination are critical to a corroded pipeline in its fitness-for-service analysis and integrity assessment. For very long corrosion defects, the present authors proposed a theoretical solution for predicting the burst pressure of corroded pipe in terms of a newly developed average shear stress yield theory, and validated it using full-scale burst data for long real corrosion defects. This paper then presents a finite element analysis (FEA) procedure to determine the remaining burst pressure for a very long blunt defect. A burst failure criterion that is referred to as von Mises equivalent stress criterion is proposed first in reference to the von Mises theory. Detailed elastic-plastic FEA calculations are performed using ABAQUS for a series of corroded pipes with infinitely long defects in different widths. From the FEA results and using the proposed failure criterion, the numerical results of burst pressure are determined for the long defects. The results show that using the proposed failure criterion, the FEA simulation can accurately determine the burst pressure for corroded pipes with long defects that is consistent with the theoretical solution. The conventional assessment methods including ASME B31G, RSTRENG, PCORRC and LPC are also evaluated and discussed in comparison with the proposed theoretical solution of burst pressure for long corrosion defects.


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