Full-scale Fatigue and Burst Tests on Notched Pipeline Girth Welds, under Complex Loading Conditions

Abstract

Hydrocarbon transporting pipelines contain a large number of girth welds, which are made under field conditions. The construction and the long-term operation often result in additional stresses to the internal pressure in these girth welds. The experience of the damage that has occurred and the requirement for safe operation necessitate full-scale tests to model and analyze these effects. The article presents a test system developed to investigate full-scale pipeline sections subjected to cyclic internal pressure and static external bending. The results obtained from tests of girth welds, with artificial circumferential and axial notches, are described herein. The results are used to draw conclusions on the load bearing capacity and integrity of the girth welds.