Finite-Element Modeling of the Mechanoelectrochemical Interaction of Circumferentially Aligned Corrosion Defects on Elbows of Pipelines
Publication: Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice
Volume 16, Issue 1
Abstract
Multiple corrosion defects on oil and gas pipeline elbows seriously threaten the safe and smooth operation of pipelines. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) model of circumferentially aligned corrosion defects on the external surface of the elbow subjected to mechanoelectrochemical (M-E) interaction was developed. Subsequently, the M-E interaction law of circumferentially aligned corrosion defects under internal pressure was investigated. Then the influence of the geometries of circumferentially aligned corrosion defects on the M-E interaction was studied. The critical circumferential spacings between the defects were determined. The results indicate that due to the special characteristics of the elbow structure, the nonuniform distribution of stress under the action of internal pressure leads to different failure pressures at different locations of the elbow. The variation laws of defect width are the same as that of straight pipelines, under a fixed internal pressure or a defect depth, with the increase of the defect width, the maximum stress level and corrosion rate growth slow until both barely change. In addition, this work integrates the mechanical stress field with the electrochemical corrosion field, considering the specificity of the stress distribution in the elbow. A new interaction criterion to judge the critical circumferential spacing of the interaction between adjacent defects is defined. The new interaction criterion indicates that the circumferentially aligned corrosion defects of the elbow separate when neither the mechanical stress field nor the electrochemical corrosion field mutually interact, and can be evaluated as individual corrosion defects. This work complements the integrity evaluation model for elbows containing multiple corrosion defects and provides guidance for oil and gas piping systems integrity management.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant number 50974105), the Special Research Fund for Doctoral Programs in Universities (Grant number 20105121110003), the Major Consulting Research Project of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (Grant number 2011-ZD-20), and the Graduate Innovation Fund of Southwest Petroleum University of China (Grant number 2021CXZD03).
References
Bagotsky, V. S. 2006. Fundamentals of electrochemistry. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Chandra, B., and A. S. Dhar. 2016. Burst pressure assessment for pipelines with multiple corrosion defects. London: Canadian Society for Civil Engineering.
Cheng, Y. F. 2016. “Monitor safety of aged fuel pipelines.” Nature 529 (7585): 156. https://doi.org/10.1038/529156e.
Cheng, Y. F., and L. Niu. 2007. “Mechanism for hydrogen evolution reaction on pipeline steel in near-neutral pH solution.” Electrochem. Commun. 9 (4): 558–562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2006.10.035.
Chiodo, M. S. G., and C. Ruggieri. 2009. “Failure assessments of corroded pipelines with axial defects using stress-based criteria: Numerical studies and verification analyses.” Int. J. Press. Vessels Pip. 86 (2–3): 164–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2008.11.011.
DNV (Det Norske Veritas). 2004. Corroded pipelines. Oslo, Norway: DNV.
Gutman, E. M. 1998. Mechanochemistry of materials. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Interscience.
Huang, Y., P. Zhang, and G. Qin. 2022. “Investigation by numerical modeling of the mechano-electrochemical interaction at a dent-corrosion defect on pipelines.” Ocean Eng. 256 (Jul): 111402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.111402.
Khalajestani, M. K., M. R. Bahaari, A. Salehi, and S. Shahbazi. 2015. “Predicting the limit pressure capacity of pipe elbows containing single defects.” Appl. Ocean Res. 53 (Oct): 15–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2015.07.002.
Kim, J. W., S. H. Lee, and C. Y. Park. 2009. “Experimental evaluation of the effect of local wall thinning on the failure pressure of elbows.” Nucl. Eng. Des. 239 (12): 2737–2746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2009.10.003.
Lam, C., and W. Zhou. 2016. “Statistical analyses of incidents on onshore gas transmission pipelines based on PHMSA database.” Int. J. Pressure Vessels Pip. 145 (Sep): 29–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2016.06.003.
Lee, G. H., H. Pouraria, J. K. Seo, and J. K. Paik. 2015. “Burst strength behaviour of an aging subsea gas pipeline elbow in different external and internal corrosion-damaged positions.” Int. J. Nav. Archit. Ocean Eng. 7 (3): 435–451. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijnaoe-2015-0031.
Li, X., Y. Bai, C. Su, and M. Li. 2016. “Effect of interaction between corrosion defects on failure pressure of thin wall steel pipeline.” Int. J. Pressure Vessels Pip. 138 (16): 8–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2016.01.002.
Ma, H., W. Zhang, Y. Wang, Y. Ai, and W. Zheng. 2023. “Advances in corrosion growth modeling for oil and gas pipelines: A review.” Process Saf. Environ. Protect 171 (Mar): 71–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2022.12.054.
National Energy Board. 1996. Report of public inquiry concerning stress corrosion cracking on Canadian oil and gas pipelines. Calgary, AB, Cannada: National Energy Board.
Qin, G., and Y. F. Cheng. 2020. “Failure pressure prediction by defect assessment and finite element modelling on natural gas pipelines under cyclic loading.” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 81 (Sep): 103445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2020.103445.
Qin, G., and Y. F. Cheng. 2021. “A review on defect assessment of pipelines: Principles, numerical solutions, and applications.” Int. J. Pressure Vessels Pip. 191 (Jun): 104329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2021.104329.
Qin, G., Y. Huang, Y. Wang, and Y. F. Cheng. 2023. “Pipeline condition assessment and finite element modeling of mechano-electrochemical interaction between corrosion defects with varied orientations on pipelines.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 136 (Jun): 105101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2023.105101.
Qin, G., P. Zhang, X. Hou, S. Wu, and Y. Wang. 2020. “Risk assessment for oil leakage under the common threat of multiple natural hazards.” Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 27 (14): 16507–16520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08184-7.
Shuai, Y., X. Wang, and Y. F. Cheng. 2021a. “Buckling resistance of an X80 steel pipeline at corrosion defect under bending moment.” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 93 (Sep): 104016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2021.104016.
Shuai, Y., X. Wang, J. Li, J. Wang, T. Wang, J. Han, and Y. F. Cheng. 2021b. “Assessment by finite element modelling of the mechano-electrochemical interaction at corrosion defect on elbows of oil/gas pipelines.” Ocean Eng. 234 (Aug): 109228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.109228.
Shuai, Y., X. Zhang, H. Huang, C. Feng, and Y. F. Cheng. 2022. “Development of an empirical model to predict the burst pressure of corroded elbows of pipelines by finite element modeling.” Int. J. Pressure Vessels Pip. 195 (Feb): 104602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2021.104602.
Sun, J., and Y. F. Cheng. 2018. “Assessment by finite element modeling of the interaction of multiple corrosion defects and the effect on failure pressure of corroded pipelines.” Eng. Struct. 165 (Jun): 278–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.03.040.
Sun, J., and Y. F. Cheng. 2019a. “Investigation by numerical modeling of the mechano-electrochemical interaction of circumferentially aligned corrosion defects on pipelines.” Thin-Walled Struct. 144 (Nov): 106314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2019.106314.
Sun, J., and Y. F. Cheng. 2019b. “Modelling of mechano-electrochemical interaction of multiple longitudinally aligned corrosion defects on oil/gas pipelines.” Eng. Struct. 190 (Jul): 9–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.04.010.
Sun, J., and Y. F. Cheng. 2020. “Modeling of mechano-electrochemical interaction between circumferentially aligned corrosion defects on pipeline under axial tensile stresses.” J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 198 (Mar): 108160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2020.108160.
Wang, W., Y. Zhang, J. Shuai, Y. Shuai, L. Shi, and Z. Lv. 2023a. “Mechanical synergistic interaction between adjacent corrosion defects and its effect on pipeline failure.” Pet. Sci. 20 (4): 2452–2467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2023.02.026.
Wang, Y., R. Li, A. Xia, P. Ni, and G. Qin. 2023b. “An integrated modeling method of uncertainties: Application-orientated fuzzy random spatiotemporal analysis of pipeline structures.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 131 (Jan): 104825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2022.104825.
Wang, Y., L. Xu, J. Sun, and Y. F. Cheng. 2021. “Mechano-electrochemical interaction for pipeline corrosion: A review.” J. Pipeline Sci. Eng. 1 (1): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpse.2021.01.002.
Wu, Y., Z. Du, L. Li, and Z. Tian. 2023. “A new evaluation method of dented natural gas pipeline based on ductile damage.” Appl. Ocean Res. 135 (Jun): 103533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2023.103533.
Xu, L. Y., and Y. F. Cheng. 2012a. “Corrosion of X100 pipeline steel under plastic strain in a neutral pH bicarbonate solution.” Corrosion Sci. 64 (Nov): 145–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2012.07.012.
Xu, L. Y., and Y. F. Cheng. 2012b. “An experimental investigation of corrosion of X100 pipeline steel under uniaxial elastic stress in a near-neutral pH solution.” Corrosion Sci. 59 (Jun): 103–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2012.02.022.
Xu, L. Y., and Y. F. Cheng. 2012c. “Reliability and failure pressure prediction of various grades of pipeline steel in the presence of corrosion defects and pre-strain.” Int. J. Pressure Vessels Pip. 89 (Jan): 75–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2011.09.008.
Xu, L. Y., and Y. F. Cheng. 2013. “Development of a finite element model for simulation and prediction of mechanoelectrochemical effect of pipeline corrosion.” Corros. Sci. 73 (Aug): 150–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2013.04.004.
Xu, L. Y., and Y. F. Cheng. 2017. “A finite element based model for prediction of corrosion defect growth on pipelines.” Int. J. Pressure Vessels Pip. 153 (Jun): 70–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2017.05.002.
Yang, Y., and Y. F. Cheng. 2006. “Effect of stress on corrosion at crack tip on pipeline steel in a near-neutral pH solution.” J. Mater. Eng. Perform. 25 (Nov): 1444–1454. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-016-2369-9.
Yang, Y., and Y. F. Cheng. 2016. “Stress enhanced corrosion at the tip of near-neutral pH stress corrosion cracks on pipelines.” Corrosion 72 (8): 1035–1043. https://doi.org/10.5006/2045.
Zhang, L., Y. Wang, J. Chen, and C. Liu. 2001. “Evaluation of local thinned pressurized elbows.” Int. J. Pressure Vessels Pip. 78 (10): 697–703. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-0161(01)00125-9.
Zhang, S., and W. Zhou. 2020. “Assessment of effects of idealized defect shape and width on the burst capacity of corroded pipelines.” Thin-Walled Struct. 154 (Sep): 106806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2020.106806.
Zhang, Y., W. Wang, J. Shuai, Y. Shuai, L. Hua, and Z. Lv. 2023. “A novel assessment method to identifying the interaction between adjacent corrosion defects and its effect on the burst capacity of pipelines.” Ocean Eng. 281 (Aug): 114842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.114842.
Zhao, J., Y. Lv, and Y. F. Cheng. 2022. “A new method for assessment of burst pressure capacity of corroded X80 steel pipelines containing a dent.” Int. J. Pressure Vessels Pip. 199 (Oct): 104742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2022.104742.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice
Volume 16 • Issue 1 • February 2025
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 6, 2023
Accepted: Jun 18, 2024
Published online: Sep 28, 2024
Published in print: Feb 1, 2025
Discussion open until: Feb 28, 2025
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Alignment
- Analysis (by type)
- Corrosion
- Defects and imperfections
- Design (by type)
- Deterioration
- Energy engineering
- Energy infrastructure
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Finite element method
- Gas pipelines
- Geometrics
- Highway and road design
- Highway engineering
- Highway transportation
- Infrastructure
- Lifeline systems
- Material mechanics
- Materials characterization
- Materials engineering
- Methodology (by type)
- Numerical analysis
- Numerical methods
- Oil pipelines
- Pipeline systems
- Pipelines
- Stress (by type)
- Stress distribution
- Structural analysis
- Structural engineering
- Transportation engineering
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.