Utilizing Safety Factors To Manage Stress Corrosion Cracking On Pipelines

Paper No. IPC2024-133509

This study introduces a semi-probabilistic model for assessing stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in pipelines, addressing measurement errors from in-line inspection (ILI) tools. Traditional methods often generate excessive false positives regarding repair needs. The model employs Monte Carlo simulations to account for uncertainties in wall thickness, crack depth, and length, calibrating against field measurements. By optimizing partial safety factors (PSFs), it balances conservatism and repair efficiency. Results indicate over an 80% reduction in false positive dig recommendations, with a near-zero probability of false negatives.