FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF A SEMI-ELLIPTICAL EXTERNAL CRACK IN A BURIED PIPE

In this research, a buried pipe containing an external semi-elliptical crack has been modeled and investigated using finite element analysis. The interaction between the soil and pipe has been considered according to the Burns and Richard model. A few major parameters, namely, the soil height over pipe, the geometries of pipe and crack and the circumferential position of crack on pipe have been changed and their effects on elastic stress intensity factors have been studied at different positions along the crack front. The results showed that the crack experienced mixed mode loading condition and the circumferential crack position on pipe had a significant influence on the stress intensity factors.