Numerical modelling techniques for the assessment of dented pipelines

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Pipelines are extensively used across Canada and worldwide as a safe, reliable and environmentally friendly way of transporting oil and gas. The pipelines traversing different ground conditions are sometime subjected to minor mechanical damages from external interference. A dent is a type of mechanical damage resulting in a plastic deformation of pipe wall. The performance of the pipes subjected to the wall dents are not well-understood. As a result, current pipeline design codes recommend an expensive solution of removing the dented portion for pipes having a dent depth of 2% to 6% of the pipe diameter. To develop a cost-effective solution for the dented pipes, in the current research, numerical modelling techniques will be developed for the assessment of the pipeline subjected to wall dents. Finite element modelling techniques will be developed for simulating the mechanisms involved in dent formation and for assessing the performance of dented pipes under service loads. The research findings would be useful for updating the pipe design codes with better understanding the behavior of the dented pipes. The industry collaborator will utilize the results to provide pipeline integrity assessment services to the pipeline industry for safe and economic transportation of oil and gas. ****