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The fracture propagation and arrest control for pipelines transporting rich natural gases and high vapor pressure liquids is based on the Battelle Two-Curve Model (BTCM). Distinct limitations of this model were demonstrated for past and modern steels and gas mixtures. These can be related to the insufficient description of individual physical processes and interactions between the pipe material and transported mixture during the running ductile fracture. In the past, fluid-structure interaction (FSI) models enabled a more sophisticated, coupled analysis of the failure scenario. To quantify their capability of describing the multi-physical processes, the FSI models need to be verified by experimental data from full-scale burst tests (FSBT). Therefore, this paper deals with the simulation of five FSBTs from the literature on API grade X65 pipes with different pipe geometries, mixtures and initial conditions. The FSI is modeled by the coupled Euler-Lagrange (CEL) method. The modified Mohr-Coulomb (MMC) model is implemented in the CEL framework to describe the deformation and ductile fracture in the X65/L450 pipes. 3D Euler equations are used to calculate the mixture decompression with the GERG-2008 equation of state defining the volumetric behavior of a CO2-rich mixture, CH4 and H2. The extended model considers the effect of soil backfill on the pipe deformation and inertia. The numerical predictions agree well with the experimental findings in terms of the crack propagation speed and arrest length underlining the capability of the developed numerical tool.
As part of current design standards, the Battelle Two-Curve Model (BTCM) is still widely used to predict and secure ductile crack arrest in gas transmission pipelines. For modern linepipe steels and rich natural gases or CO2 mixtures, the BTCM might lead to incorrect predictions. On the one hand, it suffers from the insufficient description of the individual physical processes in the pipe material and fluid itself. Furthermore, the model does not account for fluid-structure-interaction (FSI) effects during simultaneous running-ductile fracture (RDF) and mixture decompression. Numerical FSI models allow for a more sophisticated, coupled analysis of the driving forces for the failure of pipelines. This paper deals with the development of an FSI model for the coupled prediction of 3D pressure profiles acting on the inner pipe wall during crack propagation. The coupled Euler-Lagrange (CEL) method is used to link the fluid and structure models. In a Lagrange formulation, the modified Bai-Wierzbicki (MBW) model describes the plastic deformation and ductile fracture as a function of the underlying stress/strain conditions. The fluid behavior is calculated in a 3D model space by Euler equations and the GERG-2008 reference equation of state (EOS). The coupled CEL model is used to predict the RDF in small-diameter pipe sections for different fluid mixtures. The calculated 3D pressure distributions ahead and behind the running crack tip (CT) significantly differ in axial and circumferential directions depending on the mixture composition. The predicted FSI between the pipe wall and fluid decompression in 3D CEL/FSI model provides reliable knowledge about the pressure loading of the pipeline during RDF.
Application of the modified Bai-Wierzbicki model for the prediction of ductile fracture in pipelines
(2019)
The complex mechanical and corrosive loads of modern pipeline systems transporting oil, natural gas and CO2 impose steadily increasing requirements on material properties. The majority of current design standards still limit the application of modern high toughness linepipe steels due to the simple specification of material requirements in terms of energy levels from Charpy impact or Battelle Drop-Weight-Tear (BDWT) tests. In consequence, research activities have been conducted recently aiming at developing modified or novel experimental methods for the characterization of the ductile fracture behavior. To quantify the effects of various parameters on fracture behavior and derive suitable correlations, it is necessary to accompany these activities by numerical simulations with appropriate ductile damage models. In this paper, the MBW model is applied to study the structural behavior of pipelines in ductile fracture regime. Due to its precise incorporation of the underlying load conditions, the damage model is successfully used to simulate the slant fracture behavior in Battelle Drop weight tear test specimens and pipe sections. In comparison to ductile damage models applied in former studies, namely the Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman and Cohesive Zone model, the presented numerical methodology allows for a more detailed investigation of loading, material and geometry effects on fracture and crack arrest behavior of pipelines.
Various numerical approaches have been developed in the last years aimed to simulate the ductile fracture propagation in pipelines transporting CO2 or natural gas. However, a reliable quantification of the influence of material plasticity on the fracture resistance is still missing. Therefore, more accurate description of the material plasticity on the ductile fracture propagation is required based on a suitable numerical methodology.
In this study, different plasticity and fracture models are compared regarding the ductile fracture propagation in X100 pipeline steel with the objective to quantify the influence of plasticity parameters on the fracture resistance. The plastic behavior of the investigated material is considered by the quadratic yield surface in conjunction with a non-associated quadratic plastic flow potential. The strain hardening can be appropriately described by the mixed Swift-Voce law. The simulations of ductile fracture are conducted by an uncoupled, modified Mohr-Coulomb (MMC) and the micromechanically based Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) models. In contract to the original GTN model, the MMC model is capable of describing ductile failure over wide range of stress states. Thus, ductile fracture resistance can be estimated for various load and fracture scenarios. Both models are used for the simulation of fracture propagation in DWTT and 3D pressurized pipe sections. The results from the present work can serve as a basis for establishing the correlation between plasticity parameters and ductile fracture propagation.
Challenges in fluid-structure modeling of crack propagation and arrest in modern steel pipelines
(2017)
Investigation of running ductile fracture in gas transmission pipelines and the derivation of reliable crack arrest prediction methods belong to major topics in pipeline research. The yet available crack arrest criterion, known as the Battelle Two-Curve Method (BTCM), leads to reliable predictions up to grade X70 line pipe steels for which it has been validated. This includes specific limits in terms of mechanical properties, pressure and geometry. The application of this criterion to modern pipeline steels, i.e. especially grades X80 and beyond in combination with larger diameters and high pressure, has led to mispredictions of the BTCM. Hence, in order to ensure safe design of pipelines, new methods are required based on in depth knowledge and appropriate characterization of material resistance. This paper presents a procedure for the assessment of dynamic ductile fracture resistance based on combined experimental and numerical investigations. The procedure involves quasi-static and dynamic drop- weight tear testing (DWTT) on modified specimens with pre-fatigued crack for grades X65, X80 and X100 materials, and the application of cohesive zone (CZ) and Gurson-Tveergard-Needleman (GTN) models to describe ductile material damage. The damage model parameters are calibrated on basis of DWTT results and subsequently used to simulate dynamic crack propagation in a pipeline. The influence of material properties (strain hardening, toughness), pipe geometry, usage factor and decompression behaviour on ductile fracture propagation behaviour is studied and evaluated. The results will contribute to an enhanced understanding of major parameters controlling ductile fracture propagation and will help to establish a reliable procedure for safe design of new high-capacity pipelines with regard to crack arrest.
The worldwide growing energy demand with the exploration of new gas fields has promoted the development of high toughness seamless pipeline steels which should sustain the increasing demands resulting from the complex loading situations. One of the most important prerequisites for safe installation and operation of long distance gas transmission pipelines is the detailed knowledge and characterization of their fracture performance for specific applications. However, recent industry experience has revealed concerns related to the limitations and reliability of current test methods for brittle-to-ductile transition evaluation. Regarding the transition temperature evaluation, the critical issues involve Drop-Weight Tear Testing (DWTT) and full-scale West-Jefferson (WJ) test applied to the smaller pipes with diameter less than 500mm. The DWTT leads frequently to invalid results in terms of abnormal fracture appearance and inverse fracture occurrence. It is still not clear if this behavior is only owed to a testing effect, which material characteristics cause it and how far it reflects the full-scale behavior. Similar observations were made for the West-Jefferson tests, which could not be assessed in the standard manner either. Again, the question was towards testing effects and the behavior of the pipeline transporting gaseous media remains unanswered. Therefore, this paper aims at identifying open questions on basis of a literature study and own experimental results and showing possible ways forward in demonstrating safety in design against propagating fracture.