Frequency spectrum method-based stress analysis for oil pipelines in earthquake disaster areas

Xiaonan Wu; Hongfang Lu; Kun Huang; Shijuan Wu; Weibiao Qiao

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0115299

Frequency spectrum method-based stress analysis for oil pipelines in earthquake disaster areas

PLoS One. 2015 Feb 18;10(2):e0115299. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115299. eCollection 2015.

Authors

Xiaonan Wu¹, Hongfang Lu², Kun Huang², Shijuan Wu², Weibiao Qiao³

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; School of Petroleum Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
³ College of Pipeline and Civil Engineering, China Petroleum University, Qingdao, Shandong, China; College of Petroleum Engineering, Liaoning Shihua University, Fushun, Liaoning, China.

Abstract

When a long distance oil pipeline crosses an earthquake disaster area, inertial force and strong ground motion can cause the pipeline stress to exceed the failure limit, resulting in bending and deformation failure. To date, researchers have performed limited safety analyses of oil pipelines in earthquake disaster areas that include stress analysis. Therefore, using the spectrum method and theory of one-dimensional beam units, CAESAR II is used to perform a dynamic earthquake analysis for an oil pipeline in the XX earthquake disaster area. This software is used to determine if the displacement and stress of the pipeline meet the standards when subjected to a strong earthquake. After performing the numerical analysis, the primary seismic action axial, longitudinal and horizontal displacement directions and the critical section of the pipeline can be located. Feasible project enhancement suggestions based on the analysis results are proposed. The designer is able to utilize this stress analysis method to perform an ultimate design for an oil pipeline in earthquake disaster areas; therefore, improving the safe operation of the pipeline.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Disasters*
Earthquakes*
Models, Theoretical*

Grants and funding

This research is supported by Sichuan Provincial Key Disciplinary Development Project Fund (SZD0416). And special acknowledgement should be given to the Project—Research on stress analysis of oil pipeline from Southwest Petroleum University. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.