TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT OF DISTRICT HEATING PIPELINES UNDER VARIABLE THERMAL LOADS WITH CONSIDERATION OF INSTALLATION DEFORMATIONS
This study presents a methodology for assessing the technical condition of district heating pipelines under high wear, variable thermal loads, and limited modernization resources. Emphasis is placed on installation defects, cyclic temperature and pressure fluctuations, and corrosion-induced degradation. A case study of a return water pipeline in Kremenchuk, featuring a 3° installation misalignment and 10 cm flange displacement, demonstrated stresses of 220–250 MPa, exceeding the steel’s yield strength in critical zones.