A method for submarine pipeline safety assessment under the incomplete information condition

For the submarine pipeline hybrid safety assessment, with uncertainties of risk attribute weights, experts'weights and information, a safety assessment method is proposed (GAFD-S) based on grey correlation analysis, hierarchical analysis, fuzzy set and evidence theory. Risk factor weights and experts' subjective weights are determined by grey system theory and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) respectively. The experts'objective weights are determined by intuitionistic fuzzy sets and entropy principle. The Dempster-Shafer evidence theory combined with incomplete information assessment is used to sequence damage degree of submarine pipeline, and then find out the most necessary maintenance pipe section. 4 submarine pipeline sections have been assessed with this method (GAFD-S) and the detailed assessment indexes are corrosion risk, the third party damage, natural disasters, person's maloperation and design defects. The successful assessment results for the foregoing submarine pipeline sections indicates that GAFD-S method is a practical method for submarine pipeline safety assessment under the incomplete information condition.