Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


ucin1140799131.pdf (2.84 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

PIPELINE STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING USING MACRO-FIBER COMPOSITE ACTIVE SENSORS

THIEN, ANDREW B.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1140799131

Abstract Details

2006, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering : Mechanical Engineering.
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.
Dr. Randall Allemang (Advisor)
176 p.
Engineering, Mechanical
structural health monitoring; damage detection; active sensing

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • THIEN, A. B. (2006). PIPELINE STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING USING MACRO-FIBER COMPOSITE ACTIVE SENSORS [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1140799131

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • THIEN, ANDREW. PIPELINE STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING USING MACRO-FIBER COMPOSITE ACTIVE SENSORS. 2006. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1140799131.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • THIEN, ANDREW. "PIPELINE STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING USING MACRO-FIBER COMPOSITE ACTIVE SENSORS." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1140799131

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1140799131
1,018
© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.