Probabilistic procedure for numerical assessment of corroded pipeline strength and operability

Abstract The numerical procedure for analysis of nonuniform stress-strain state of welded pipeline elements with detected local corrosion-erosion metal losses based on Weibull statistics has been proposed for the probabilistic assessment of static strength and operability of specific structures. The multiphysics simulation of joint evolution of state of stresses, strains and subcritical damage was used for typical pipelines elements in operation for minimal conservativeness of numerical analysis. It is based on the principles of thermomechanics of elastic-plastic continuum along with tracing of ductile fracture of material. Following the number of experimental investigations of limiting state of typical pipelines with semielliptical defects Weibull parameters as functions of material properties have been determined. Using the specific examples of steel and aluminum pipeline elements, the influence of individual corrosion-erosion defects on failure probability has been studied.