Steel pipes are used in water pipelines due to their strength and ductility. However, corrosion is an inevitable issue for steel pipes, and corrosion is the main culprit responsible for the failure of steel pipes. Given that it is the only structural component of a steel pipe, any loss of the cross-sectional area of the steel due to corrosion has a direct and an immediate impact on the overall strength of the pipe. In order to assess the occurrences of corrosion, tools are developed with the purpose of detecting anomalies in the pipe wall. PipeDiver (PD) is one of the tools that can help clients to assess the level of damage of the steel pipe. PD can identify localized areas of corrosion inside the line. Better understanding the diminishing returns in achieving ever greater tool resolution can help guide the design of new tools to maximize operational efficiency while maintaining appropriate sensor resolution. Hence, in this study, buried 84-in. A36 steel pipes under internal water pressure and external static and dynamic loads were evaluated using a numerical model. The numerical model uses the finite elements method to predict their elastic-plastic and rupture behaviors. The numerical model is validated using classical and accepted analytical theory. The pipes were modeled with different circular damage sizes, ranging from 1 in. to 18 in. and corrosion percentages of 15% to 90%, to capture the yield pressure sensitivity using finite element analysis. Two different elastic moduli were assumed for the backfill and in order to obtain a better sense of location sensitivity, the defect zone was located at both the crown and springline of the pipes. Based on FEA models, the sensitivity of yield pressure values to defect size, defect depth, defect location, and backfill modulus for large diameter steel pipe are presented and discussed.

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Steel pipes are used in water pipelines due to their strength and ductility. However, corrosion is an inevitable issue for steel pipes, and corrosion is the main culprit responsible for the failure of steel pipes. Given that it is the only structural component of a steel pipe, any loss of the cross-sectional area of the steel due to corrosion has a direct and an immediate impact on the overall strength of the pipe. In order to assess the occurrences of corrosion, tools are developed with the purpose of detecting anomalies in the pipe wall. PipeDiver (PD) is one of the tools that can help clients to assess the level of damage of the steel pipe. PD can identify localized areas of corrosion inside the line. Better understanding the diminishing returns in achieving ever greater tool resolution can help guide the design of new tools to maximize operational efficiency while maintaining appropriate sensor resolution. Hence, in this study, buried 84-in. A36 steel pipes under internal water pressure and external static and dynamic loads were evaluated using a numerical model. The numerical model uses the finite elements method to predict their elastic-plastic and rupture behaviors. The numerical model is validated using classical and accepted analytical theory. The pipes were modeled with different circular damage sizes, ranging from 1 in. to 18 in. and corrosion percentages of 15% to 90%, to capture the yield pressure sensitivity using finite element analysis. Two different elastic moduli were assumed for the backfill and in order to obtain a better sense of location sensitivity, the defect zone was located at both the crown and springline of the pipes. Based on FEA models, the sensitivity of yield pressure values to defect size, defect depth, defect location, and backfill modulus for large diameter steel pipe are presented and discussed.

**[Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library](https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/9780784483602.036)** 


Failure Sensitivity Analysis of A36 Steel Pipes Considering Circular Defects: FEA Study

Papers from sessions of Pipelines 2021, held virtually August 3–6, 2021. Sponsored by the Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute of ASCE. The conference provides a forum for pipeline engineers and practitioners from all around the world to share their experiences in meeting the challenges of today's pipeline infrastructure. This premier industry event has become the conference of choice for utility and pipeline owners, design and consulting engineers, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, students, educators, researchers, and pipeline professionals. The conference includes surveying as it relates to pipeline and utility projects. This event will provide a dynamic and inspiring venue for participants to share and gain valuable knowledge related to planning, designing, constructing, renewing, operating, managing and maintaining the pipeline assets.

[Paper Proceedings](https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483602)

Conference DOI: https://doi.org/10.26226/m.6454f875c8d4320012b71046