Propagating Buckle Arrestors for Offshore Pipelines

Abstract

When an underwater pipeline is buckled in the presence of sufficient external pressure, a propagating buckle is initiated, and the buckle front will propagate along the pipeline until a region of much less external pressure is reached. This paper describes the results of experimental research on methods of arresting the advancement of a propagating buckle along the pipeline. The arresting capacities of three types of buckle arrestors conceived during this program, free-ring, welded-ring, and heavy-walled section arrestors, are described in detail. Results of propagating pressure experiments are also presented.