FRP pipe and fittings failure data 2

[SoCalBiker]

Studying an existing above-ground FRP piping system (water service, minimal hydrocarbon contaminants, Bondstrand material) in a refinery, my team is looking for industry data addressing fitting or joint failure rates--i.e., statistical failure rates for joints at couplings, elbows, tees, and saddles. Anyone have access to such information? Is there a good tech search service company that could perform a quick, cost-effective literature search? Any ideas will be welcome!

 

[stanier]

The challenge you face is that no one wants to publish failure data.

there were plenty of failures in the Middle East in the 1970s. The Gold Coast , Sydney & other desalination plants have suffered failures. these include:

1) Chinese supply of pipe where the reinforcement was would onto the mandrel. When the machine changed direction at the end of the pipe length the angle of roving changed. the Chinese in an attempt to maximise the sale did not cut off the ends. When the pipe was installed and flanges were lapped on the ends with the dodgy rovings failures occurred.

2) Lengths of pipe had the ends bevellied in the factory rather than on site. the time frame between this exercise and installation was such that chemicals were released at the surface. this compromised the efficiency of the lapped joint and failure occurred.

3) Pipes were not designed for full vacuum and local buckling occurred.

4) Buried pipes were compacted at the sides of the trench that resulted in the pipe ovalising. When the crown was compacted square corners developed. These had very high strains. GRP has a very low strain tolerance.

5) Grp was supplied to a project. instead of two layers of reinforcement the manufacturer cheated and only one was supplied. This could only be determined by dissolvingt he resin. Not a standards test.

If wanting to use GRP use ISO 14692 as a standard.

Norsok has published a standard for GRP they may have some failure information.

 

[SoCalBiker]

Stanier--

Thank you very much for the response! Your observations and advice are much appreciated and make a lot of sense. I will, indeed, investigate Norsok. (So far, by the way, yours has been the only response, which makes your comments all the more valuable.)

Have a great one!

SoCalBiker

 

[stanier]

You may wish to post the message on the "Composites Engineering" forum?

Also join

http://www.pipingdesign.com

forum and post there.