Stress Analysis of Buried Pipelines with Complex Defects based on ABAQUS

Chenjia Xu; Yanhua Chen; Mei Yang; Sainan Zhu

doi:10.6919/ICJE.202608_12(8).0008

Authors

Chenjia Xu College of Civil and Architectural Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
Yanhua Chen Hebei Earthquake Engineering Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
Mei Yang Hebei Earthquake Engineering Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
Sainan Zhu Hebei Earthquake Engineering Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6919/ICJE.202608_12(8).0008

Keywords:

Buried Pipeline; Complex Defects; Finite Element Analysis; Corrosion Defect; Stress Analysis.

Abstract

To investigate the influence of complex defects on the mechanical behavior of buried pipelines, a three-dimensional finite element model of buried pipelines was established based on ABAQUS software. Three typical defect models, including single corrosion defects, overlapping defects, and corrosion–crack coupled defects, were developed to analyze the stress response characteristics under different defect configurations. The control variable method was adopted to study the effects of defect length, width, and depth on the maximum equivalent stress of the pipelines. The results show that the maximum equivalent stress increases with the increase of defect length and defect depth, among which defect depth has the most significant influence on the stress response of pipelines. In contrast, the influence of defect width on stress variation is relatively negligible. Under the same geometric parameters, the corrosion–crack coupled defect model exhibits the highest equivalent stress, followed by the overlapping defect model, while the single defect model shows the lowest stress level. This finding indicates that complex defects can further aggravate local stress concentration and reduce the structural safety of buried pipelines. The research results can provide valuable references for the integrity assessment and safety evaluation of buried pipelines with complex defects.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Wang, Y., Yi, X., He, Y., et al. (2025). Prediction of remaining strength of X80 oil and gas pipelines with complex corrosion defects. Petroleum Machinery, 53(08), 116–124.

[2] Pu, F., Yang, Y., Fan, X., et al. (2026). Assessment of pipeline failure pressure under multi point corrosion defect interactions. Oil and Gas Storage and Transport. https://link.cnki.net/urlid/13.1093.TE.20260429.1809.004

[3] Li, H., Li, J., Liu, Y., et al. (2025). Influence of double corrosion defects on failure pressure of oil and gas pipelines. Petroleum Knowledge, (05), 40–41.

[4] Bin, L., Boya, L., Xinyuan, Y., et al. (2026). Longitudinal behavior of concrete pipes with combined defects of corrosion, crack, and void under traffic loads. Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1061/JPSEA2.PSENG 1979

[5] Yang, Y., Gu, X., Zhang, X., et al. (2021). Residual strength study of advanced X100 gas pipelines with double corrosion defects. Corrosion and Protection, 42(04), 48–53.

[6] Zhou, L., Zhu, D., Dong, S., et al. (2023). Interaction criteria and residual strength of oil and gas pipelines with multiple corrosion defects. Corrosion and Protection, 44(09), 22–31+64.

[7] Mou, J. (2021). Study on remaining strength evaluation method of pipelines under coupling of internal and external defects [Master’s thesis]. China University of Petroleum (East China). https://doi.org/10.27644/d.cnki.gsydu.2021.001451

[8] Wang, Y., Zhang, Z., Qin, G., et al. (2025). Intelligent prediction model of failure for hydrogen pipelines with overlapping corrosion defects. Journal of Safety and Environment, 25(09), 3473–3481. https://doi.org/10.13637/j.issn.1009 6094.2024.0265

[9] Zhang, H. (2024). Failure study of high grade gas pipelines with corrosion defects under combined loads [Master’s thesis]. Yangtze University. https://doi.org/10.26981/d.cnki.gjhsc.2024.000998

[10] Zhao, Q. (2017). Study on stress intensity factors and pressure bearing capacity of pipelines with internal corrosion crack defects [Master’s thesis]. Southwest Petroleum University.

[11] Zhang, X., Meng, L., Allan, O., et al. (2021). Numerical analysis of API 5L X42 and X52 vintage pipes with cracks in corrosion defects using extended finite element method. Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4050988

[12] Xiong, D., Zhang, Y., Wang, Y., et al. (2024). Interaction rules between adjacent corrosion defects and their effects on pipeline failure pressure. Pressure Vessel, 41(09), 55–67.

[13] Yao, Z. (2025). Prediction and reliability analysis of remaining strength of urban buried oil and gas pipelines [Master’s thesis]. Chongqing Jiaotong University. https://doi.org/10.27671/d.cnki.gcjtc.2025.000388

[14] American Society of Mechanical Engineers. (2009). Manual of determining the remaining strength of corroded pipelines: ASME B31G 2009. American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

[15] Stephens, D. R., Leis, B. N., Kurre, M. D., et al. (1999). Development of alternative criterion for residual strength of corrosion defects in moderate to high toughness pipe. In International Pipeline Conference. ASME.