Tensile testing on large diameter line pipe is generally done using strap samples obtained in the transverse to pipe axis (TPA) orientation of a pipe. The strap samples are then flattened and machined prior to testing. Although the standardized tensile testing is well documented, the variability in the reported TPA tensile properties of the same material tested within a lab or at different labs has always been an issue. Recent work conducted at EVRAZ NA research lab has identified flattening as the main source of the variability in reported yield strength (YS) values for line pipe. The lack of a standard procedure for flattening TPA strap samples is a major obstacle to obtaining consistent results. Therefore, the main objective of this current study was to establish a standardized flattening procedure for TPA strap samples. Both finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental approaches were adopted. Various flattening methods and fixtures were studied. Extensive flattening experiments were conducted on TPA samples from different line pipe products. Results showed that the spring back after flattening in a TPA sample is different for pipes with different gauge and grades. It was established that consistent flattening can be achieved using appropriate fixtures for differerent ranges of tubular products defined by grade, diameter and gauges. Evaluation of the flattening fixture designs and experimental results are discussed in this paper.
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