Abstract:The longitudinal strain capacity of spiral welded pipelines displays to some extents unexplained behaviour. Therefore, they are not (yet) used extensively in offshore applications and harsh conditions, demanding a strain based design. An important factor that influences the tensile strain capacity is the quantity of anisotropy in terms of strength and toughness. Starting from an anisotropic hot rolled highstrength steel skelp, the process of helical forming and post-treating of the pipe adds heterogeneity and changes the level of anisotropy of the product. A parameter that should be examined with respect to anisotropy is the crack driving force, a measure for the toughness of the pipeline steel. Additional to the mode I loading (opening of the crack), the mode III component drives the in-plane shear motion of a crack in the spiral weld when the pipe is subjected to longitudinal deformation. This action, not present in longitudinal welded pipes, shows a decreasing contribution with increasing plasticity. FE simulations have demonstrated a rise of crack driving force in anisotropic cases with respect to an isotropic reference. However, exact data and variation of various parameters, along with experimental testing need to be conducted. The outcome analysis of such simulations and tests can validate existing models, or help create a better understanding of anisotropic and heterogenic influences on the tensile strain capacity of spiral welded pipes.Keywords: Spiral welded pipeline; tensile strain capacity; strain based design; anisotropy; heterogeneity
INTRODUCTIONThe oil & gas industry is reluctant to use spiral welded pipelines in harsh conditions. For the last decade, usage has increased in onshore areas, and only slightly in offshore applications. Examples are the start of the greatest gas pipeline in Chinese history, the 4000 km long production, use and inspection [3]. This report indicates which characteristics of spiral welded pipes need to be examined in detail. The spiral weld and the material anisotropy, two effects highlighted and questioned in the report, are the principal subjects of this paper. Production of spiral welded pipes consists of more than just helical forming of plates. The starting material, hot rolled TMCP plates, have anisotropic microstructures and mechanical properties. Helical forming angles determine the diameter of the pipe and its overall performance capacity. The spiral welding accompanied with this process locally introduces an extra level of heterogenity to the spiral welded pipeline. A post-heattreatment changes the mechanical properties to a more preferred level, like higher yield strength, and less distinct anisotropy or heterogeneity into the product. The effects of mechanical deformation and thermal treatments during subsequent helical pipe making processes that influence anisotropy and heterogenity, and thus the straining capacity, need to be studied in detail [4]. This paper takes a look at the influencing factors of (mainly) anisotropy and heterogeneity in spira...