Experimental Study on Quick-Locking Reinforcement Model for Local Defects in Pipelines in the Rich Water Area

Abstract

The management of local defects in municipal pipelines in water-rich areas remains a significant challenge, particularly under high-pressure conditions. This study investigates the performance of quick-lock steel sleeves as a trenchless repair method through full-scale experiments on five different pipeline diameters. The experiments focus on the failure modes and critical buckling pressure of the sleeves under external pressure. A novel design model based on structural reliability theory was developed and validated against experimental results. The results show a close match between the calculated and experimental buckling pressures, with a ratio ranging from 0.87 to 1.15. These findings provide valuable insights for the design and application of quick-lock sleeves in high-pressure municipal networks. This study contributes to improving the reliability and effectiveness of pipeline repair technologies, offering practical solutions for addressing pipeline leakage and instability in challenging environments.