Influence of multiple sleeve repairs on the structural integrity of gas pipelines

OTEGUI, JL; CISILINO, A; RIVAS, A; CHAPETTI, MIRCO D; G SOULA

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRESSURE VESSELS AND PIPING

Elsevier Ltd.

Año: 2002 vol. 79 p. 759 - 765

0308-0161

This paper address the structural integrity of gas pipelines with multiple full-encirclement weld repairs. The scope of the work is to identify and quantify the effects of the number and type of repairs, the distance between them, and the pressurization of the pipe to sleeve gap on the mechanical behavior of the components. The study includes full-scale experimental testing and finite element modelling. Burst tests were carried out in tracts of pipelines removed from service, including carious geometric configurations with and without circumferential girth welds. It is concluded that the reliability of the repairs is strongly influenced by the construction procedures and that interaction effects between sucessive repairs are not apprciable if the repairs are more than half pipe diameter apart.