Applicability of Net-Section Collapse Load Approach to Multiple-Cracked Pipe Assessment: Numerical Study

In this paper, applicability of net-section collapse load approach to circumferential multiple-cracked pipe assessment is investigated using finite element (FE) damage analysis. The FE damage analysis based on the stress-modified fracture strain model is validated against limited fracture test data of two circumferential surface-cracked pipes. Then, the systematic parametric study is performed using the FE damage analysis for symmetrical and asymmetrical surface-cracked pipes. It is found that predictions using the net-section collapse load approach tend to be more accurate with increasing the distance between two symmetrical cracks. For asymmetrical cracks, it is found that the deeper crack plays a more important role and that the existing net-section collapse load expression can be potentially nonconservative. Idealization to symmetrical cracks based on the deeper crack is proposed.