Dynamic Stress Predictions of Acoustic-Induced Pipe Vibration Failures

The dynamic stress prediction methodology developed by Norton [1] for broad-band acoustic-induced vibration of piping systems is applied here to the failure data of Carucci and Mueller [2]. Proprietary noise and vibration prediction technologies are used in order to improve the accuracy and robustness of the predictions. This results in generalized dynamic stress predictions that clearly delineate the cases of acoustic fatigue and satisfactory operation documented by Carucci and Mueller, unlike other failure prediction procedures traditionally used by industry. Other advantages of the dynamic stress approach include (i) a theoretically sound approach to account for pipe wall thickness, pipe diameter and internal density; (ii) direct consideration of material fatigue properties and stress concentration effects; and (iii) the potential to evaluate fatigue life for transient blow-down conditions.