Combined numerical-experimental framework for strain based design and flaw assessment of girth welds

An increasing number of transmission pipelines have to be installed and operated in harsh conditions, due to the diminishing reserves of exploited fossil fuel sources. Under certain environment related circumstances, longitudinal plastic strains are imposed. When tensile, these may induce failure in girth welds in conjunction with the inevitable presence of weld defects. A large number of factors related to environment, material, geometry and operating conditions influence the tensile strain capacity and, hence, the acceptability of girth weld flaws. Therefore, a project specific development of guidelines in this strain based context is recommended. This paper provides systematic frameworks on (a) how to design pipelines under strain based conditions, and (b) how to assess girth weld flaws that were detected using non destructive testing. Attention is given to several technical and economical aspects related to the selection and qualification of pipe and weld metals, and to the evaluation of flaw acceptability. Both frameworks comprise a combined experimental-numerical approach, collecting project development reports from literature with research carried out at Soete Laboratory. Concretely, four in-house realizations are adopted: the UGent equation for strain capacity, the curved wide plate tension test, the UGent stress-strain equation and a finite element model of full scale pressurized pipe tension testing. The proposed frameworks aim to facilitate in performing thorough and economically justifiable strain based design and assessment processes

The Influence of Wagon Structure Part Shape Optimization on Ultimate Fatigue Strength

This study investigates how shape optimisation affects the ultimate fatigue strength of a mechanical part. The mechanical part chosen for this investigation is an axle guard of running gear elements of the Hccrrs 2x2 axle car-carrying wagon. The static and fatigue strength analysis procedure according to the UIC 517 standard and numerical methods have been applied. Material properties were determined experimentally and the necessary numerical calculations were performed by using the finite element method. The observed axle guard is exposed to low cycle fatigue. ε-N curves and material properties of the S355J2+N steel grade are obtained by combining theoretical formulae and a mathematical function. According to the obtained experimental and numerical results the number of cycles until failure for both shapes of axle guards is obtained

Full-scale tests of transporting pipeline sections : A review and consequences to our investigations

Hydrocarbon transport pipelines' safe operation is an economic and environmental interest. These pipelines are typically designed for static loads, but during their long-time operation - due to pressure changes and environmental impacts - they are also subject to cyclical loads. The individual pipe sections are connected by girth welds, which represent potential sources of hazards in terms of damage. In order to assess the reliability of girth welds, full-scale tests are carried out under simple and complex loads. The purpose of this article is twofold. On the one hand, summarize the full-scale tests on transmission pipelines, with special attention to the tests on girth welds; on the other hand, based on this, draw conclusions for the design and implementation of our own full-scale tests