Realistic Strain Capacity Models for Pipeline Construction and Maintenance

Under Development

Center for Reliable Energy Systems More »

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

Threats and Integrity Management -- Pipeline Testing, Analysis and Repair

This project extended existing compressive and tensile strain capacity models to realistic design and application scenarios. At least two failure modes, tensile rupture and compressive buckling, are possible when pipelines are subjected to large longitudinal strains. Current practice is to treat these failure modes separately. Project components were to develop a unified Strain Base Design (SBD) methodology in which compressive and tensile strain limit states can be analyzed in a consistent manner, and to bring compressive strain models to the same level of refinement and consistency as the tensile strain models.

The industry and regulators are expected to benefit from the outcome of this project through 1) enhanced safety from the refined compressive strain design models and 2) more effective allocation of resources to address varying levels of threats to pipeline safety and integrity in the event of large ground movements. Both new pipeline construction and maintenance of existing pipelines are expected to benefit as well.

Increased Safety - This technology enhances safety and reliability by providing a means of identifying threats due to large ground movements, based on strain capacity modeling.

Greater Reliability -

PHMSA, https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/matrix/PrjHome.rdm?prj=361