PRCI RSTRENG

Introduction

The RSTRENG© User’s Guide presents information, guidelines, and procedures for use during operations and integrity tasks for field or office applications.

This tool combines RSTRENG©, B31.G, Modified B31.G into one toolbox. Additional calculations can also be added to the module such as DNV, API 579 Level 1, Shell 92, and PCORR.

The RSTRENG© program consists of multiple upgrades that assist the user to make faster and better decisions in the field or office. Some of the highlights of RSTRENG© include the following:

  1. Enhanced graphics to assess the corrosion pitting from short to long lengths.
  2. Unlimited data points to assure that new technologies such as 3D tools can assess. 1000’s of increments and depths for a more accurate assessment of pressure calculations.
    1. Provides safety while meeting the regulations
    2. Provides the Zero Out Method to avoid unnecessary cut-outs
  3. Ability to determine all effective lengths in long areas of corrosion for repair, whereas other programs do not identify these multiple effective lengths.
    1. Zeroing out multiple effective lengths in long length corrosion i.e. 80 inches
    2. Show each effective length for each step of the way
  4. Ability to determine re-assessment intervals and remaining life calculations based on corrosion growth rates.
  5. Written into CFR 192 and 195 as the only approved remaining strength program for pipeline operators.
  6. Meets being Traceable, Verifiable, and Complete (TVC) by PHMSA
    1. Record keeping and retrieval to meet Big Data requirements
    2. Track locations using the HUB
  7. Produces Reports and allows comments up to 850 characters.
  8. Ability to determine
    1. Failure Pressure Ratio
    2. Time Unit Failure
    3. Remaining Life
    4. Re-Assessment Interval
    5. Potential Impact Radius

Pipeline operators use PHMSA approved RSTRENG© program that is specified in the pipeline industry Code of Federal Regulation (CFR). Technical Toolboxes is the sole provider of the official RSTRENG© program. B31.G, Modified B31.G, and RSTRENG© will now be referred to as RSTRENG© providing the user with all necessary tools, including RSTRENG© to assess, analyze and assist in the mitigation of the effects of blunt metal loss corrosion defects. In addition, Technical Toolboxes provides programs that consist of training and testing for those individuals seeking technical RSTRENG© certification for Pipeline Integrity Inspectors, Technicians, and Engineers to assess corrosion and related blunt defects.

Applications

When internal or external corrosion features in pipelines are detected by in-line inspection (ILI), ECDA, or other maintenance activities, a decision to replace, repair, or accept and monitor each feature must be made. This decision is based on the prediction of the failure pressure of the corroded pipeline and must adhere to the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 49, Parts 192 and 195, which stipulates that ASME B31G or RSTRENG be used to assess the remaining strength of corroded pipelines.

The original research and development were conducted by PRCI. RSTRENG is currently the preferred technology for determining the remaining strength of externally corroded pipelines, as it provides a more accurate assessment of the corroded area than ASME B31G and Modified ASME B31.G. This results in enhanced pipeline integrity and safety while simultaneously lowering costs to the pipeline owner/operator. For additional information please see the report that is furnished by Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. (PRCI) on this link.

PROGRAM AND VARIABLES LIMITATIONS

CORROSION — The deterioration of a material such as carbon steel due to its environment.

DIAMETER (dia.) — The diameter, D, is the outside pipe diameter, and has units of inches. The range of D is 2.0000 to 42.000 in. The default value is D = 12.750 in.

DESIGN FACTOR (F) — Although 49 CFR 192 or 195, establishes a design factor, F, the user can input another F value. The range for F is from 0.10 to 1.00. The default design factor is F = 0.72.

LONGITUDINAL JOINT FACTOR (E) — The longitudinal joint factor, E, depends on the type of pipe welds. The input screen limits E to either 0.60, 0.80, or 1.00, consistent with the values. given in 49CFR192, Section 192.113. The default value is E = 1.00

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE OPERATING PRESSURE (MAOP) — The maximum allowable operating pressure, MAOP, is used as the design internal pressure for calculating circumferential stress due to internal pressurization and has units of psi. The range for MAOP is 0000 to 5000 psi.

SPECIFIED MINIMUM YIELD STRENGTH (SMYS) — The specified minimum yield strength, SMYS, has a range of allowable values covering steel grades A25 (SMYS = 25000 psi) to X-80 (SMYS = 80000 psi). The SMYS is also used to establish the girth and longitudinal weld fatigue endurance limits.

WALL THICKNESS (wt.) — The pipe wall thickness, wt. has units of inches. The wall thickness to diameter ratios must be within the range of wt./D = 0.01 to 0.08.

ZERO OUT METHOD (ZOM) — This method is used when there are more than one effective area in long length pitting clusters such as in 30-inch length or greater up to a full joint of pipe to calculate the safe operating pressures.

Modules

Additional Resources

Technical Toolboxes offers training webinars on these upgrades as well as RSTRENG© on-site training with certification. RSTRENG© training courses are also offered with defect analysis understanding from half-day, one day, and one 1/2 days depending on your needs. Review our website under The training section to sign up for these courses.

For support and other software questions, please check out the Support Tab on the Technical Toolboxes Website or our Support Desk Portal.

References

  • PRCI – A Modified Criterion for Evaluating the Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipe
  • PRCI – Database of Corroded Pipe Tests
  • PRCI – Continued Validation of RSTRENG
  • For additional information please see reports that are furnished by Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. (PRCI) using the following link. https://www.prci.org/Research/Corrosion/CORRProjects/EC-6-1/4153/15495.aspx
  • NACE Standard RPO102 (latest revision), “In-Line Inspection of Pipelines” Houston, TX
  • NACE Standard RP0313 (latest revision), “Guided Wave Applications for Pipelines”, Houston, TX
  • NACE Standard RP0502 (latest revision), “Pipeline External Corrosion Direct Assessment Methodology”, Houston, TX
  • ASME B31.8 (latest revision), Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping, New York, New York
  • ASME B31.8S (latest revision), Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping, New York, New York
  • ASME B31.G (latest revision), ASME B31G – Manual for Determining the Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipelines (RSTRENG), New York, New York

Appendices

  • Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipe (RSTRENG) Assessment Procedure, Joe Pikas
  • Preventative Measures to Control Corrosion Pitting, Joe Pikas

Related Links

Pipeline HUB – User Resources

RSTRENG+

Table of Contents
Table of Pages
  1. Pipeline HUB User Resources
  2. AC Mitigation PowerTool
  3. API Inspectors Toolbox
  4. Horizontal Directional Drilling PowerTool
  5. Crossings Workflow
  6. Pipeline Toolbox
  7. Encroachment Manager
  8. PRCI AC Mitigation Toolbox
  9. PRCI Thermal Analysis for Hot-Tap Welding
  10. PRCI River-X
  11. PRCI RSTRENG
  12. RSTRENG+
  13. Ad-hoc Analysis
  14. Database Import
  15. Data Availability Dashboard
  16. ESRI Map
  17. Report Builder
  18. Hydrotest PowerTool
  19. Investigative Dig PowerTool
  20. Hydraulics PowerTool
  21. External Corrosion Direct Assessment Procedure – RSTRENG
  22. Canvas
  23. Definitions
  24. Pipe Schedule and Specifications Tables