Damage Mechanisms in the Placement and Repair of Pipelines

The objective was to determine the structural damage mechanism associated with wet buckles that can occur during placement and/or repair of pipelines in deepwater operations. This project included an assessment of conditions associated with buckle propagation. It also assessed the proper placement of valves during pipe laying operations to minimize a major oil spill, if the pipeline was fractured at a later date due to a wet buckle.