A data assimilation approach for estimating strength of steel pipes reinforced with composite sleeves under unsteady pressure-flow conditions

Abstract

The aim of this paper is twofold: to estimate the unsteady pressure-flow variations in gas transmission pipelines using the ensemble-based data assimilation approach and to analyse the strength of steel tubes reinforced with composite sleeves containing localized part-wall thickness loss caused by corrosion while taking into consideration a safe operating pressure of the pipeline. For a steel thin-walled cylinder containing a part-wall metal loss, a flexible wrap of fibreglass as well as carbon glass with epoxy resin are determined. The strength of the repaired pipeline with two kinds of materials for sleeves is investigated taking into consideration the internal pressure at the defect location. For the case study, a section of the Yamal transit pipeline on the Polish territory is selected. The results enable pipeline operators to evaluate the strength of corroded steel pipelines and develop optimal repair activities, which are of vital importance for the maintenance and operation of underground steel networks.