Pipeline Structural Health Monitoring Using Macro-fiber Composite Active Sensors

Abstract

The United States economy is heavily dependent upon a vast network of pipeline systems to transport and distribute the nation's energy resources. As this network of pipelines continues to age, monitoring and maintaining its structural integrity remains essential to the nation's energy interests. Numerous pipeline accidents over the past several years have resulted in hundreds of fatalities and billions of dollars in property damages. These accidents show that the current monitoring methods are not sufficient and leave a considerable margin for improvement. To avoid such catastrophes, more thorough methods are needed.As a solution, the research of this thesis proposes a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for pipeline networks. By implementing a SHM system with pipelines, their structural integrity can be continuously monitored, reducing the overall risks and costs associated with current methods. The proposed SHM system relies upon the deployment of macro-fiber composite (MFC) patches for the sensor array. Because MFC patches are flexible and resilient, they can be permanently mounted to the curved surface of a pipeline's main body. From this location, the MFC patches are used to monitor the structural integrity of the entire pipeline.Two damage detection techniques, guided wave and impedance methods, were implemented as part of the proposed SHM system. However, both techniques utilize the same MFC patches. This dual use of the MFC patches enables the proposed SHM system to require only a single sensor array. The presented Lamb wave methods demonstrated the ability to correctly identify and locate the presence of damage in the main body of the pipeline system, including simulated cracks and actual corrosion damage. The presented impedance methods demonstrated the ability to correctly identify and locate the presence of damage in the flanged joints of the pipeline system, including the loosening of bolts on the flanges. In addition to damage to the actual pipeline itself, the proposed methods were used to demonstrate the capability of detecting deposits inside of pipelines. Monitoring these deposits can prevent clogging and other hazardous situations.Finally, suggestions are made regarding future research issues which are needed to advance this research. Because the research of this thesis has only demonstrated the feasibility of the techniques for such a SHM system, these issues require attention before any commercial applications can be realized.

Active sensing platform for wireless structural health monitoring

“…This allow us to achieve the required accuracy in the time domain, without the need for further processing of the samples by the DSP. As for the data processing, the computational characteristics and the configurability of the DSP enables the node to run most of the analysis algorithms typically needed [32]. However, for test purposes we have successfully implemented a fast fourier transform (FFT) which is an essential component of SHM algorithms.…”

“…Thus there is no clear SHM algorithm that outperforms any other. However, we have chosen a representative SHM algorithm used at LANL in our evaluation [32] [4]. Figure 10 summarizes its operation.…”

“…Given our energy self-sufficiency corresponding to 15 minutes of computation time, we can process multiple actuate-and-sense paths without any difficulty. An accurate damage localization can be achieved by sensing less than 10 paths [32].…”

Feasibility of MFC (Macro-Fiber Composite) Transducers for Guided Wave Technique

“…Additionally, the MFC uses interdigitated electrodes that capitalize on d33 effect piezoelectric coupling coefficient, allowing it to produce higher forces and strain than typical monolithic piezo-ceramic materials [7][8][9].…”

Active Sensing Platform for Wireless Structural Health Monitoring

“…objective, the architecture of the node has been structured in such a As for the data processing, the computational characteristics and the way that the power consumption be near zero during the phase of configurability of the DSP enables the node to run most of the inactivity, corresponding to most of the day. This has been achieved analysis algorithms typically needed [32]. However, for test both by an accurate choice of components and by the purposes we have successfully implemented a fast fourier transform implementation of power-aware solutions in the node architecture.…”