Integrity Assessment of Composite repair on Gas Pipelines Via Hydro Test and Finite Element Analysis

The lifetime management of repaired gas pipelines with Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP)، especially when the probability of leakage is expectable، is an important technical-economic factor of repair system. This work is concerned with the evaluation of hydro test performed on repaired metallic gas pipelines with FRP. The goal is to assess the role of external composite repair system on structural integrity of pipelines، based on experimental investigations. Hydro tests were executed on one meter composite repaired pipeline sections containing artificial through hole at 6’oclock orientation. The repair systems were designed according to ISO-24817 and Hydro tests simulated by ABAQUS finite element method. The results showed the ability of the repaired pipeline to withstand the pressures up to 1. 5 times of the design pressure. The applicability of this type of repair system was demonstrated by means of simulation and experimental results which showed that this technique can be used in repair of gas line ever in worst conditions.