Analysis of Repaired Cracks With Bonded Composite Wrap in Pipes Under Bending

Composite materials have been used to structurally repair piping and other facilities for many years. However, the original use of composite materials was for repairing corroded pipelines where the intent was to restore strength to the damaged section of the pipeline. In addition to repairing corrosion, composite materials have successfully been used to repair dents, wrinkle bends, induction bends, and pipe fittings including elbows and tees as well as repair of offshore risers. In this study, the behavior of circumferential through cracks in repaired pipe with bonded composite wrap subjected to bending moment is investigated using three-dimensional finite-element analysis. The stress intensity factor (SIF) is utilized as a fracture criterion. The effects of the mechanical and geometrical properties of the adhesive on the variation of the SIF at the crack front were also analyzed. The obtained results show that the presence of the bonded composite repair significantly reduces the SIF, which can improve the residual lifespan of the pipe. Meanwhile, the SIF is also reduced as the elastic and the geometrical wrap properties are improved, particularly when the Young's modulus of the adhesive and the wrap thickness are increased.