Significant progress has been made since the mid-1980's in understanding the role of weld defects in pipeline integrity. Unfortunately, this new knowledge has not been incorporated into Appendix A. More significantly, new line pipe materials and welding processes since the mid-1980's have created conditions that were not anticipated in the original code, and that can lead to unsafe designs. This project was commissioned to produce a document to provide the technical basis for the revisions of Appendix A. The technical and historical background of several internationally recognized girth weld ECA...
Significant progress has been made since the mid-1980's in understanding the role of weld defects in pipeline integrity. Unfortunately, this new knowledge has not been incorporated into Appendix A. More significantly, new line pipe materials and welding processes since the mid-1980's have created conditions that were not anticipated in the original code, and that can lead to unsafe designs. This project was commissioned to produce a document to provide the technical basis for the revisions of Appendix A. The technical and historical background of several internationally recognized girth weld ECA (Engineering Critical Assessment) procedures are reviewed. Some recent developments in further refining the girth weld ECA procedures are described, with particular emphasis on the work funded by PRCI. These new developments lead to the recommended revisions to API 1104 Appendix A. The Canadian code, CSA Z662 Appendix K, is the process of adopting some of these developments.