A Novel Fuzzy Approach to Gas Pipeline Risk Assessment Under Influence of Ground Movement

Abstract The gas transport infrastructure is frequently localized in areas subjected to anthropogenic movements and strains. The potential impact of such deformations on the gas pipeline in the aspect of its damaging can be properly assessed by, e.g. by predicting strains, taking into account the causes of terrain movement. On the other hand the hazard is also related to technological factors like design of the pipeline. The presented method is based on artificial intelligence methods allowing for evaluation of probability of failure risk in gas supply pipeline sections. The Mamdani fuzzy inference was used in the study. Uncertainty of variables characterizing the resistance of the gas pipeline and predicted continuous deformations of ground surface were accounted for in the model by using triangular-shaped membership functions. Based on the surface deformations and gas pipeline resistance and the inference model one can make prediction when the gas pipeline is hazarded. The proposed model can contribute to the protection, cost optimization of the designed pipelines and to the repairs of the existing gas pipelinesTrial registration number and date of registration: COAL-D-21-00255, 27.09.2021