Structural Assessment of Difficult Pipeline at Bends

In a difficult pipeline, pipe bends are critical section that needs to be inspected for its reliability. The purpose of this research is to investigate the structural integrity of the difficult pipeline at bends. Finite Element Simulation method was used. Circular pitting corrosion at different depth and diameter were applied to simulate the stress distribution at three (3) different pipe models; standard 90° pipe bend, miter bend and unbarred full-bore tees pipe bend near dead end. The results of different corrosion equivalent stress, σ distribution were compared. At the end of this research, the finite element modelling (FEM) simulation was proven to be reliable for inspection of difficult pipeline at bends.