Reliability of piping systems and effect of inspection methods

Abstract The reliability of a piping system (or a cylindrical vessel) is determined by a statistical failure process. The risk of failure at any period of service life is evaluated and the effects of various inspection methods on the total risk are examined. The influence of different parameters, such as quality control and relative detectable crack size, on the total reliability are studied. The results of this study point out that a program of periodic inspection at appropriate intervals may be as efficient as that of a continuous inspection. There is a definite advantage in detecting small relative flaw sizes in the initial periodic inspection. The interval between subsequent inspections can thus be increased.