Fitness-For-Service Assessment of the Pipelines with Localized Geometric Imperfections such as Buckles and Wrinkles

Abstract

In this paper, FFS assessment procedure for the buckle damaged pipeline with cracks in the girth welds is presented. For FFS assessment the tensile and J R-curve data from a pre-strained pipeline material, API 5L X65 were obtained in the laboratory to study the influences of the large plastic strain on the material properties and the fracture resistance of the pipeline girth welds. Tensile and single edge notch bend specimens in as-received, 10% pre-strained and 20% prestrained conditions were tested. The test results show significant increase in yield and tensile strength in the pre-strained specimens. Generally, the elongation and fracture resistance decreased after pre-straining. In FFS material specific failure assessment diagrams (FADs) generated based on the stress-strain curves obtained from testing were used. The critical flaw sizes of the pipeline girth welds were calculated, and the influence of the large plastic strain on the FFS results was discussed.