Butt Fusion Joint Integrity and Evaluation of NDE Technologies

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• Onshore Transmission Pipeline
• Leak Detection

Main Objective

The program objective is to improve and/or validate the butt fusion process by developing novel analytical solutions and new test approaches to ensure the safe long-term performance of polyethylene (PE) butt fusion joints.

This will be accomplished through comprehensive testing and evaluation of combined effects of circumferential stresses and other in-service stresses acting on buried in-service PE joints. Additionally, the program will provide for an in-depth evaluation of the state-of-the-art NDE technologies to determine the most suitable or most promising technology to apply or recommend for further development.

Public Abstract

The objective of the program is to improve and/or validate the existing butt fusion process by developing novel analytical solutions and new test approaches that will help ensure the safe long-term performance of polyethylene (PE) butt fusion joints. The new test approaches are designed to address overall joint integrity related to long-term destructive testing and evaluate the latest innovations in Non Destructive Examination (NDE) techniques.
With over 40 years of safe in-service experience, the gas industry has learned that pipe, fittings and joints do not fail due to internal pressure only. When failures do occur (albeit infrequently), they are a direct consequence of the combined effects of internal pressure and factors including variations in procedures, field environment and combined operational stresses such as bending strain, earth loading, etc. This program is designed to : 1) develop a model of interrelationships between key butt fusion process parameters and selected field installation variables based on long-term performance when exposed to combined in-service stress states acting on the joint, 2) evaluate the most promising NDE technologies to verify their effectiveness in accurately discerning "poor and/or suspect" joints, and, 3) foster and initiate an industry task group to assure that resulting improvements in the joining process, procedures and test methods are incorporated in the ASTM standards and other industry accepted guidelines.