Stress Concentration Factors of Dented Pipelines
A nonlinear finite element model was developed to assess stress concentration factors induced by plain dents on steel pipelines subjected to cyclic internal pressure. The numerical model comprised small strain plasticity and large rotations. Six small-scale experimental tests were carried out to determine the strain behavior of steel pipe models during denting simulation followed by the application of cyclic internal pressure. The finite element model developed was validated through a correlation between numerical and experimental results. A parametric study was accomplished, with the aid of the numerical model, to evaluate stress concentration factors as function of the pipe and dent geometries. Finally, an analytical formulation to estimate stress concentration factors of dented pipelines under internal pressure was proposed. These stress concentration factors can be used in a high cycle fatigue evaluation through S-N curves.