Pipeline Stress and Strain 

As your pipeline assets age and climate change increases the frequency and scope of geohazards, the threat to pipeline integrity from high stresses and strains rises. Unplanned mechanical loads caused by subsidence, landslides or sediment falls, as well as temperature and pressure extremes, cause bending, expansion and contraction. The resulting deformation can reduce performance. When strains are sufficient, cracks form. This ultimately leads to loss of containment and pipeline failure. Loads that cause bending can be identified using inertial monitoring units. Significant bending will change the pipe cross section, and this can be detected with geometry inspection. Loads that cause purely axial strain are harder to identify, as there may be no change in shape until it is too late.