Abstract: By virtue of 3D laser scanning technology, the point cloud data on the material surface can be obtained rapidly, automatically and accurately. And when this technology is used to detect the pipeline section with large deformation, its advantages are incomparable to the traditional detection technologies. By combining Creaform3D laser scanner with Pipecheck software, the internal and external defects of pipelines (such as metal corrosion and mechanical damage) can be detected on site. And based on detection results, evaluation can be conducted, e.g. overall appearance, strain and fatigue analysis. Practical application results show that 3D laser scanner can improve the accuracy of detection data and save the detection time greatly. The research results not only highlight the technical advantages of Creaform3D laser scanner, but also provide references for its application in other fields.