Effect of the Orientation of Combined Dent and Gouge Defects on a Pipeline

Abstract

As part of recent work on the structural behaviour of API 5L X52
pipelines with combined dent and gouge defects, this paper addresses
the effects of the defect orientation and pipe geometry on the strength
and failure behaviour of pipelines loaded internally with uniform
pressure. The commercial finite element software ANSYS in
conjunction with the pipe material data characterized through
experimental testing was employed in the investigation. A wide range of
geometric parameters and orientation of combined dent and gouge
defects was systematically selected and modelled with the pipe within
the framework of the adopted numerical tool to analyse the influence of
d/t ratio, dent and gouge depth, width and length on the structural
response of the loaded pipelines. It was found that pipelines with a small
d/t ratio are at greater risk of failure compared to large d/t pipelines.
Similarly, in relation to the defect width, the defect length plays a more
significant effect on the load-bearing capacity of pipelines.