• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.1829-1836
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• 2010

The district heating system distributes the heat generated from a cogeneration plant to wider locations. In this process, the district heating pipe (DHP) is subjected to internal and external loadings. The internal loadings are generally caused by the operating conditions such as water temperature and internal pressure. Frictional interactions between the pipes and the soil contribute to the external loadings. Thus, investigation of the mechanisms of failure of DHPs will help to guarantee both mechanical stability and heating efficiency. In this study, we investigate the local buckling of DHPs using limit state design (LSD). Two methods are considered: the use of the limit state for the width-thickness ratio and the use of the limit state for the strain. The results are used to confirm that the DHP is stable under local buckling. Finally, we suggest a minimum preheating temperature for avoiding local buckling.