Determinng the Yield Strength of In-Service Pipe

The Gas Pipeline Safety Research Committee (GPSRC) is one of several committees

established by the ASME Center for Research and Technology Development. The scope and

functions of the Research Committee are to

• Conceive, plan, and sponsor research required to increase the state of knowledge and

practice related to pipeline safety

• Promote technology transfer

• Promote research concerning gas pipeline safety issues identified by other organizations

• Maintain liaison and cooperate with other relevant organizations regarding gas pipeline

safety.

The GPSRC identified the need for a project to determine the yield stress of in-service

transmission pipelines. The committee's objective was to determine if hardness testing on inservice

line pipe could be an acceptable alternative to the destructive testing or low yield stress

requirements of DOT/OPS. Once this objective is attained, the results of the project could be

recommended for use in support of a proposal to DOT/OPS for a rule change and to provide

applicable enhancement for confirmation of yield stress in the gas piping code.

The GPSRC approved the project and formed a steering committee to manage the