Computer Modeling of Pipeline Repair Reinforcement with Composite Bandages

The increasing occurrence of corrosion-related damage in steel pipelines has led to the growing use of composite-based repair techniques as an efficient alternative to traditional replacement methods. Computer modeling and structural analysis were performed for the repair reinforcement of a steel pipeline with a composite bandage. A preliminary analysis of possible contact interaction schemes was implemented based on the theory of cylindrical shells, taking into account transverse shear deformations. The finite element method was used for a detailed study of the stress state of the composite bandage and the reinforced section of the pipeline. The limit state of the reinforced section was assessed based on the von Mises criterion for steel and the Tsai-Wu criterion for composites. The effectiveness of the repair was demonstrated on a pipeline whose wall thickness had decreased by 20% as a result of corrosion damage. At a nominal pressure of P = 6 MPa, the maximum normal stress in the weakened area reached 381 MPa. The installation of a composite bandage reduced this stress to 312 MPa, making the repaired section virtually as strong as the undamaged pipeline. Due to the linearity of the problem, the results obtained can be easily used to find critical internal pressure values.