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.