Analysis of a carbon composite overwrap pipeline repair system

A relatively new method has been developed to stop external corrosion and structurally reinforce steel pipes by external wrapping of damaged sections using fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) materials. Several different defect geometries representing corrosion patches on steel pipe were characterized using finite-element analysis, by changing the circumferential length of the defect. Pipe vessels containing these defects along with the composite structural repairs were modeled and the results were compared to field tests to determine the effectiveness of the repairs. It was found that the defect width around the circumference had little impact on the ultimate rupture pressure of the repaired vessel, but influenced the stress state in the underlying pipe substrate.