Project Number 434
Date of Summary February 28, 2007
Subject Strain-Based Design of Pipelines
Performing Activity Edison Welding Institute
Principal Investigator William Mohr
Contracting Agency Minerals Management Service
Completion Completed January 2007
Description The majority of pipeline design codes are based on stress-based design methods. Although conventional stress-based design covers most pipeline applications, it does not cover the design of pipelines that may experience high strains like those of the deepwater GOM and Arctic regions. Similarly, high strains can occur to most any offshore pipeline due to ground movement, unsupported spanning, and seismic loading therefore an exacting site-specific analysis including loading conditions and material mechanical properties is needed to maintain the acceptable level of pipeline safety needed. This research project investigated the use of strain-based design of pipelines and provide a guidance document to better assure safe and pollution free operations.
Progress Phase I was completed in 2003 and developed a best practice Guidance Document on Strain Based Design of pipelines to cover design, assessment, and testing guidelines for designers of pipelines that may experience high strains in service. See Phase I final reports AA and AB below

Phase II, which began on July 28, 2004 and was completed in January 2007, refined the Phase I Guidance Document by providing further analysis and guidance in the areas of pipeline material specifications, welding specifications, as well as determining local stress-strain curves, provide material and welding guidance for strain based design, and develop realistic choices in finite element models to check the effects of combinations of soft regions, internal pressure, and axial strain. Collaboration between EWI and Engineering Mechanics Corporation (Emc2) of Columbus, OH was highly effective in assessing the effects of both softened HAZs and internal pressure on fracture resistance for high-strain applications since Emc2 is conducting a parallel project on fracture assessment of pipe girth welds.  See Phase II final reports AC and AD below.

Reports
AA (5,940 KB, 137 pages)  File in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) . Strain-Based Design of Pipelines, Phase I, Final Report, William Mohr, Edison Welding Institute, Columbus OH, October 8, 2003.
AB (31 KB, 12 pages)  File in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) .

Guidance Document on Strain Based Design, Final Report, William Mohr, Edison Welding Institute, Columbus OH, July, 2004.

AC (3,265 KB, 205 pages)  File in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) . Strain-Based Design: Strain Concentration at Girth Welds, Phase II, Final Report, William Mohr, Edison Welding Institute, Columbus, OH, January 2007, EWI Project No. 47447GTH.
AD (64 KB, 23 pages)  File in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) . Guidance Document on Strain-Based Design, Phase II, Final Report Appendix A, William Mohr, Edison Welding Institute, Columbus, OH, January 2007, EWI Project No. 47447GTH.
 

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