Behavior of X60 Line Pipe Subjected to Axial and Lateral Deformations

Buried pipelines may be subjected to various complicated combinations of forces and deformations. This may result in localized curvature, strains, and associated deformations in the pipe wall. As a result, wrinkle may form. The wrinkled pipeline may then develop a rupture in the pipe wall and lose its structural integrity if it is subjected to further sustained loads or deformations. Recently, laboratory tests on NPS6 steel pipes were undertaken at the University of Windsor to study the wrinkling and post-wrinkling behaviors of this NPS6 pipe when subjected to lateral load in addition to internal pressure and axial load. Four full-scale laboratory tests were conducted, and it was found that the application of lateral load on wrinkled pipe produces a wrinkle shape similar to that occurred in a field NPS10 line pipe. Complex test setup was designed and built for successful loading and completion of these tests. This paper makes a detailed discussion on the test setup, test method, loading and boundary conditions, instruments used, and test results obtained from this study.