Preliminary communication

Life prediction of damaged PE 80 gas pipes

Zlatko Tonković ; Croatian Electrical Company (cr. HEP), HEP - Plin Ltd., HR-31000 Osijek, Croatia
Marija Somolanji ; Croatian Electrical Company (cr. HEP), HEP - Plin Ltd., HR-31000 Osijek, Croatia
Josip Stojšić ; University in Osijek, Mechanical Engineering Faculty in Slavonski Brod, HR-35000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia

Abstract

This paper deals with new approach to life estimation of damaged thick-walled gas pipes made of high-density polyethylene (PE 80). The most common approaches to polyethylene gas pipes durability prediction rely on methods of fracture mechanics, which involve defining the stress intensity factor experimentally. However, such tests are carried out on standardized specimens neglecting the influence of real pipe geometry and processing method. On the
other hand, these data are not always available to gas distributors, which are responsible for installed pipelines durability. Investigations based on long-term experiments involving three parameters: pressure, length and depth of initial notch type crack gave empirical mathematical model for life prediction of polyethylene gas pipes.

Keywords

pipe damages; pipe bursting time; PE 80 pipes

Hrčak ID:

40961

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/40961

Publication date:

30.9.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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