Evaluation of the Effect of Yield to Tensile (Y/T) Ratio on the Structural Integrity of Offshore Pipeline by Limit State Design Approach

Author(s):  
Gianluca Mannucci ◽  
Giuliano Malatesta ◽  
Giuseppe Demofonti ◽  
Marco Tivelli ◽  
Hector Quintanilla ◽  
...  

Nowadays specifications require strict Yield to Tensile ratio limitation, nevertheless a fully accepted engineering assessment of its influence on pipeline integrity is still lacking. Probabilistic analysis based on structural reliability approach (Limit State Design, LSD) aimed at quantifying the yield to tensile strength ratio (Y/T) influence on failure probabilities of offshore pipelines was made. In particular, Tenaris seamless pipe data were used as input for the probabilistic failure analysis. The LSD approach has been applied to two actual deepwater design cases that have been on purpose selected, and the most relevant failure modes have been considered. Main result of the work is that the quantitative effect of the Y/T ratio on failure probabilities of a deepwater pipeline resulted not so big as expected; it has a minor effect, especially when Y only governs failure modes.

Author(s):  
Eric Brehm ◽  
Robert Hertle ◽  
Markus Wetzel

In common structural design, random variables, such as material strength or loads, are represented by fixed numbers defined in design codes. This is also referred to as deterministic design. Addressing the random character of these variables directly, the probabilistic design procedure allows the determination of the probability of exceeding a defined limit state. This probability is referred to as failure probability. From there, the structural reliability, representing the survival probability, can be determined. Structural reliability thus is a property of a structure or structural member, depending on the relevant limit states, failure modes and basic variables. This is the basis for the determination of partial safety factors which are, for sake of a simpler design, applied within deterministic design procedures. In addition to the basic variables in terms of material and loads, further basic variables representing the structural model have to be considered. These depend strongly on the experience of the design engineer and the level of detailing of the model. However, in the clear majority of cases [1] failure does not occur due to unexpectedly high or low values of loads or material strength. The most common reasons for failure are human errors in design and execution. This paper will provide practical examples of original designs affected by human error and will assess the impact on structural reliability.


Author(s):  
Andrew Francis ◽  
Chas Jandu ◽  
Marcus McCallum

Our Client was commissioned to construct an onshore high pressure gas pipeline. The pipeline was to be about 50km in length, 1066mm diameter, 15.88mm nominal wall thickness and constructed from X65 material. During the route selection phase it was discovered that it would be very difficult to avoid passing the pipeline through a locally highly populated area. In view of this it was naturally decided that the pipeline should be constructed from heavy wall sectioned pipe to mitigate the threat of failure due to causes including mechanical damage and corrosion. However, there was still a concern that the residual risk, even when the above mitigating measure had been taken, would still be unacceptably high. In view of this Andrew Francis & Associates Ltd (AFAA) were commissioned to assess the remaining risk levels using a quantified risk assessment technique in accordance with the UK pipeline design code, IGE/TD/1 Edition 4, which provides for the use of such techniques. The technique used by AFAA involved detailed Structural Reliability Analysis (SRA) combined with an assessment of the consequences of failure. AFAA began the study by identifying the possible failure modes and these included mechanical damage, external corrosion, fatigue crack growth and AC induced corrosion. However, discussions were held between AFAA and the Client and after giving due consideration to the benefits of modern construction standards, and the use of Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) coating, it was agreed that the only significant threat to integrity was mechanical damage. AFAA used SRA to determine the likelihood of failure due to mechanical damage based on a state-of-art-limit state function taking account of key areas of uncertainty including variations in defect dimensions and material properties. A consequence model was used to determine the possible effects on the local population if a rupture of the pipeline was to occur. The consequence model was used to determine the amount of thermal dose that personnel, in the vicinity of the release, might receive, taking account of the transient nature of the gas flow. The mitigating effects of nearby buildings that would afford shelter from the effects of the thermal radiation levels were naturally taken into account. The results were expressed in terms of an F/N curve and assessed against the risk criteria contained in IGE//TD/1. It was concluded from the analysis that the proposed design did not pose an unacceptable level of risk and moreover that part of the proposed heavy wall section was unnecessary. However, in the interests of conservatism our customer proceeded with the original design. This paper describes the modelling technique used by AFAA and clearly presents the results and conclusions of the analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystal L. House ◽  
Zhigang Hao ◽  
Yuxin Liu ◽  
Long Pan ◽  
Deirdre M. O’Carroll ◽  
...  

AbstractMagnesium silicate is an inorganic compound used as an ingredient in product formulations for many different purposes. Since its compatibility with other components is critical for product quality and stability, it is essential to characterize the integrity of magnesium silicate in different solutions used for formulations. In this paper, we have determined the magnitude of dissociation of synthetic magnesium silicate in solution with positively charged, neutral, and negatively charged compounds using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The EDS results were verified through Monte Carlo simulations of electron-sample interactions. The compounds chosen for this study were positively charged cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), neutral lauryl glucoside, and negatively charged sodium cocoyl glutamate and sodium cocoyl glycinate since these are common compounds used in personal care and oral care formulations. Negatively charged compounds significantly impacted magnesium silicate dissociation, resulting in physio-chemical separation between magnesium and silicate ions. In contrast, the positively charged compound had a minor effect on dissociation due to ion competition, and the neutral compound did not have such an impact on magnesium silicate dissociation. Further, when the magnesium ions are dissociated from the synthetic magnesium silicate, the morphology is changed accordingly, and the structural integrity of the synthetic magnesium silicate is damaged. The results provide scientific confidence and guidance for product development using synthetic magnesium silicate.


Author(s):  
Kofi S. Inkabi ◽  
Robert G. Bea

A comprehensive reliability based formulation is proposed for the assessment of the integrity of corroded pipelines. In this formulation, the inspection technique, the pipeline geometric, material, and operational characteristics, and Limit State model for burst are combined in a general approach. This approach is illustrated with application to evaluation of an in-service gas pipeline.


2001 ◽  
Vol 85 (04) ◽  
pp. 716-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Schaffner-Reckinger ◽  
Nicolaas Brons ◽  
Nelly Kieffer

SummaryIn order to explore the mechanisms leading to conformational changes of the vitronectin receptor αvβ3 following ligand or divalent cation binding, we have investigated the expression of epitopes known as ligand-induced binding sites (LIBS) on 3 cytoplasmic tail mutants expressed in CHO cells. Truncation of the entire 3 cytoplasmic domain induced constitutive LIBS exposure on αvβ3 and IIb β3. Deletion of the C-terminal NITY759 sequence or disruption of the NPLY747 motif by a Y747A substitution impaired extracellular conformational changes on αvβ3 following RGDS, echistatin or Mn2+ binding, whereas the substitutions Y747F, Y759A or Y759F allowed normal LIBS exposure. Furthermore, metabolic energy depletion totally prevented Mn2+-dependent LIBS exposure, but had only a minor effect on RGDS-induced conformational changes. Our results demonstrate that the structural integrity of the NPLY747 motif in the β3 cytoplasmic domain, rather than potential phosphorylation of Tyr747 or Tyr759, is a prerequisite for conformational changes within the αvβ3 ectodo-main, and suggest that two different mechanisms are responsible for RGDS- and Mn2+-dependent conformational changes.


Author(s):  
Roberto Bruschi ◽  
Lorenzo Bartolini ◽  
Maurizio Spinazze` ◽  
Enrico Torselletti ◽  
Luigino Vitali

In the recent years, the offshore pipeline industry has been under pressure to provide solutions for demanding material and line pipe technology problems, installation technology to safely tackle the ultra-deep waters challenge, quantitative prediction of reliable operating lifetime for pipelines under high pressure/high temperature conditions and remedial measures to tackle considerable geo-morphic and human activity related hazards. Future pipelines are being planned in very difficult environments, i.e. crossing ultra-deep water and difficult geo-seismic-morphic conditions. In these circumstances, it is of crucial importance (1) to adopt advanced design procedure and criteria, possibly based on limit state principles recently implemented in the design codes, and (2) to use advanced engineering tools for predicting the strength capacity and the pipeline behaviour during the installation and operational phase, in order to design the pipeline safely and to assess properly the technic-economical feasibility of the project. This paper discusses the relevant failure modes for offshore pipelines, the FE analysis results relevant to the sectional capacity of thick-walled pipes, and the FE analysis results relevant to the global and local response effect of a pipeline, laid on the sea bottom, and subject to a point-load force.


Author(s):  
O̸istein Hagen ◽  
Gunnar Solland ◽  
Jan Mathisen

Offshore platform resistance to cyclic storm actions is addressed. In order to achieve the best economy of the structure especially when assessing existing structures, the ultimate capacity of the structure is utilized. This means that parts of the structure may be loaded into the non-linear range and consequently the load-carrying resistance of the structure against future load cycles may be reduced. In such cases it is required to carry out a check of the cyclic capacity of the structure. Such checks are required in the ISO 19902 code for Fixed Steel Offshore Structures. The paper presents a proposal for how a load history for cyclic checks can be established. The method is in line with what is included in the NORSOK N-006 standard on “Assessment of structural integrity for existing load-bearing structures”. The load-history for the waves in the design storm may be expressed as ratio of the dimensioning wave. The ratio will be different for check of failure modes where the entire storm will be relevant such as crack growth, compared to failure modes like buckling where only the remaining waves after the dimensioning wave need to be accounted for. Using simple order statistics and simulation, the statistics for the ith (Hi), i = 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. highest wave in the storm is studied in some detail, assuming that the maximum wave (H1) is equal to an extreme wave obtained by a code requirement. Environmental contours for the pair (H1,H2) are established by Inverse FORM for design conditions. Further, the long term statistics for load effects that are expressed as a function of H1, .., H4, i.e. L = f(H1, .., H4), are determined. The R-year value LR for the load effect L is determined by structural reliability techniques, and the most probable combination (design point) (H1*, .., H4*) for L = LR is determined. The design point values Hi*, as well as the design point value for the significant wave height, are determined for different load effects, and their characteristics for different types of load effects are discussed. The paper gives advice also on how to establish the magnitude for the remaining waves in the storm.


Author(s):  
Andrew Francis ◽  
Richard Espiner ◽  
Alan Edwards ◽  
Gary Senior

There is an increasing demand for operators of transmission pipelines to maximise the throughput of their pipeline systems. This can be achieved relatively easily with new pipelines, by using limit state design, new materials, novel fabrication techniques etc., Operators are also looking to maximise the throughput of existing transmission pipelines. Obviously, they are not able to make use of new materials etc., but limit state design concepts can be applied to show that a pipeline can be safely uprated to a higher design pressure. The limit state of an engineering structure or component is defined as the mathematical relationship between the parameters associated with a particular failure mode at the onset of failure. To assess the impact on pipeline integrity and safety, a limit state approach incorporating probabilistic analysis has been developed. The approach addresses all credible failure modes and takes account of uncertainties in the relevant parameters for each mode. The probabilistic approach takes the limit state approach a step further by describing the parameters as statistical distributions rather than single values. This allows failure probabilities to be computed which are a more meaningful measure of safety and allow areas of over conservatism (or under conservatism) to be identified. It is important to note that the approach is only as good as the limit states used and the data used to construct the distributions. Clearly uncertainties in both of these can exist and the absolute values of the computed probabilities must be viewed with caution. However, the strength of the approach lies in the relative values of the computed probabilities and previous ‘safe’ operation. If a system has a significant operational history with few or no failures and it can be shown that there is little change in the theoretical failure probability associated with a change in operating conditions, it can be inferred that few or no failures will occur in practice. The paper describes the above approach in detail and outlines a study carried out to determine the effect on pipeline integrity of uprating three pipelines from a current maximum operating pressure of 70 bar to an uprated pressure of 85 bar, exceeding the current design criteria. By application of the limit state approach incorporating probabilistic analysis, it is shown that there would be an insignificant change in failure probability as a result of uprating to 85 bar, and hence that the integrity of the pipelines is unimpaired by uprating.


2003 ◽  
Vol 03 (03n04) ◽  
pp. 299-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
BOON-HO NG ◽  
SIAW-MENG CHOU

The objective of the current study is to elucidate the influence of freeze storage on the tensile properties of tendons by testing specimens at numerous adjacent durations to eliminate the influence of biological variation and experimental errors. Chicken flexor digitorum profundus tendons were stored intact in the digits at -20°C and specimens were tensile tested at 33 durations over 360 days. Scanning electron microscopy was done on fresh specimens and specimens freeze-stored for 30, 233 and 427 days to investigate microstructure change after freeze storage. The tensile properties of tendons, as represented by ultimate tensile strength, strained at ultimate tensile strength. The elastic modulus did not deviate significantly (p>0.01) after freeze storage while the collagen fiber density of specimens stored for 233 and 427 days decreased with porosity growth. In contrast, no obvious microstructure difference was observed between fresh tendons and tendons stored for 30 days. These findings suggest that the postmortem degradation incurred a minor effect on the structural integrity of the tendons and therefore did not affect the overall tensile properties. We conclude that freeze storage at -20°C does not alter the tensile properties of tendons for as many as 360 days.


Author(s):  
Alvaro E Canga Ruiz ◽  
J Riley Edwards ◽  
Yu Qian ◽  
Marcus S Dersch

An extensive study of the flexural performance of monoblock prestressed concrete sleepers in a light rail system was conducted as part of a research program funded by the Federal Transit Administration. Five consecutive sleepers deployed on the track were instrumented with strain gauges at their critical design cross-sections (center and rail seats) to obtain relevant flexural information during an uninterrupted period of 14 months. Results were compared with the projected design capacities obtained from the application of current design standards, resulting in glaring differences. The current design methodologies were deemed insufficient for the development of optimal design solutions for light rail applications. Furthermore, structural reliability analysis is employed to study the flexural capacity of the sleeper design. A capacity model based on the material and geometric properties of the sleeper design was developed. The demand model was derived from the field flexural data of over 27,000 train passes, fitting this information to predefined probability distributions. Four limit-state functions were defined to represent the typical flexural failure modes. The probability of failure was calculated using first-order reliability method, second-order reliability method, and Monte Carlo simulation. Ultimately, the analysis yielded consistent results for the three methods, showing largely low probability of failure at both design cross-sections under the studied demand level. In conclusion, the sleeper's capacity was higher than the existing field demands, indicating an overly conservative design approach.


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