Estimation of Burst Pressure of Corroded Pipeline Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Pipelines are used to transmit fluid from one point to another. One major concern of
maintaining pipelines integrity is failure due to corrosion defects. Corrosion is one of the
common defects in pipes which can be observed externally or internally. Several
methods and codes had been established to provide solutions in assessing the corroded
pipes. This includes the assessment of remaining strength of the corroded pipeline which
has been used for used in decades, ASME B31G. This code is referred in evaluation of
metal loss in pressurized pipes and piping systems. Another code, the recommended
practice DNV-RP-FlOl is used to evaluate the remaining strength of corroded pipes
which has single defect, multiple defects and complex shape defects.
This study is associated with the process to estimate the burst pressure of corroded
pipeline by using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The corroded pipe undergoes UTScan
and the thickness along the pipe's internal surface is measured and the corrosion
profile is plotted. FEA is used to resemble the experimental procedure of actual burst
test. Several models are built and simulated by considering defect shape, defect depth
and analysis type as parameter to distinguish every simulations. All models are properly
constraint and pressurized internally thus, the maximum allowable burst pressure (Ph) of
corroded pipeline is determined. The result obtained by FEA is analyzed, studied and
compared with the actual burst test, ASME B31G and DNV-RP-FlOl. Lastly, the best
model of ANSYS simulation is determined from the simulation.