A New Model for Dynamic Crack Propagation and Arrest in Gas Pipelines

A new model of unstable ductile crack propagation and arrest of pressurized gas pipeline is presented. The model couples pipe deformation and fracture with gas decompression. The model also takes account of backfill effect. Pipe deformation and pressure changes are obtained by solving one-dimensional differential equations. Validity of the model was checked by comparing with published full-scale burst test data. The model can predict history of crack velocity and arrest crack length with fairly good accuracy. The model can be applied to wide ranges of gases, pipe grades and pipe sizes because it does not rely on parameter adjustment by experimental data sets but is based on physical assumptions.