Application scope of limit load criterion for ductile material pipes with circumferentially external cracks

Hasegawa, Kunio; Li, Y. ; Lacroix, V.*; Mare, V.*

Bending stress at plastic collapse for a circumferentially cracked pipe is predicted by limit load criterion provided by the Appendix C of the ASME Code Section XI. The equation of the Appendix C is applicable for pipes with both external and internal surface cracks. On the other hand, the authors have developed a more precise equation. From the comparison of Appendix C equation and the new equation, the plastic collapse stress estimated by the Appendix C equation gives less conservative bending capacity prediction for external cracked pipes with thick wall thickness and large crack angle. This paper discusses the limitation scope to use the limit load criterion of the Appendix C equation.