External corrosion direct assessment (ECDA) is a structured process intended for use by pipeline operators to assess and manage the impact of external corrosion on the integrity of underground pipelines. This article focuses on four steps of ECDA, namely, preassessment, indirect examinations, direct examination, and post assessment. The ECDA tool selection matrix used to determine the tool choices is also presented.

The purpose of accreditation is to evaluate and assure high-quality results from suppliers of products or services without incurring the costs associated with auditing each supplier. This article describes laboratory accreditation based on the general requirements of International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) Guide 25, "General Requirements for the Competence of Calibration and Testing Laboratories." The Guide 25 is a balanced standard that addresses quality system requirements of ISO 9000 and the technical requirements needed to perform testing or calibration. The article describes an accreditation process that would enhance the international acceptance of test data for mechanical testing laboratories.

This article discusses the failure analysis of several steel transmission pipeline failures, describes the causes and characteristics of specific pipeline failure modes, and introduces pipeline failure prevention and integrity management practices and methodologies. In addition, it covers the use of transmission pipeline in North America, discusses the procedures in pipeline failure analysis investigation, and provides a brief background on the most commonly observed pipeline flaws and degradation mechanisms. A case study related to hydrogen cracking and a hard spot is also presented.