Enhancing the integrity of a buried gas pipelines: Investigating ruptures, explosions, and strengthening solutions

• Published in: Engineering failure analysis Vol. 155; p. 107738
• Main Author: Ilincă, Costin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Buried pipeline; Corrosion; Failure; Numerical simulation; Stress analysis; Numerical simulation; Stress analysis; Corrosion; Buried pipeline; Failure
• ISSN: 1350-6307; 1873-1961
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2023.107738

•Innovative Methodology: The research introduces a novel hybrid approach that combines analytical and numerical methods.,•Relevance to “Engineering Failure Analysis”: The article aligns with the journal and fosters discussions in the field.•Practical Implications: The study's findings contribute to improving safety, and performance in the gas pipe industry.•Contribution to Research: My inovation exposes traditional methods limits in engineeringanalysis. The present paper presents findings from a case study of a buried gas pipeline that ruptured, causing a gas cloud explosion and subsequent fire. The study aimed to identify the incident's cause and improve the pipeline's strength under specific conditions. The study measured the pipe's actual wall thickness and conducted stress analysis using analytical and finite element methods to assess its integrity under corrosion. It evaluated if the 20-inch pipeline near road crossings could withstand external forces. In conclusion, the research underscores the importance of accurately assessing the structural integrity of buried pipelines, especially under conditions of corrosion. It highlights the utility of finite element analysis in providing a more precise understanding of stress distribution and can aid in designing pipelines that are better equipped to withstand various external pressures. The investigation illustrates the importance of increasing the strength of buried natural gas pipelines, in the crossing road area and, for this purpose, it was proposed (in terms of novelty associated with the study) a solution consisting in introduction of the pipeline in protective sleeves fitted with spacer rings.