An equivalent average shear stress yield criterion based on Simpson's numerical integration rule and its application in burst pressure analysis of thin-walled pipelines

Abstract

Pipelines are a crucial transportation infrastructure for the long-distance transport of natural gas, oil, and other hydrocarbons, typically conducted through thin-walled pipes ($D/t\ge 20$). Accurate prediction of the burst pressure of thin-walled pipelines is essential for their safe and reliable operation. To enhance the prediction accuracy of the burst pressure for defect-free, straight, thin-walled pipes, a new numerical integration yield criterion was proposed between the Tresca and Mises criteria, using the mean value of Simpson's numerical integration (MSI) as the equivalent shear stress. A new burst pressure prediction formula was then constructed using the MSI yield criterion. The burst pressure predictions based on different yield criteria were compared with experimental data. Additionally, the burst pressure curves of the new prediction formula were plotted, and the relative errors between the new prediction formula and four existing prediction formulas were analyzed and compared. The results indicate that the new burst pressure prediction formula using the MSI yield criterion closely matches the experimental data, with the best relative error result within a confidence interval of ±1.3 %. The Lord parameter curve and plane stress curve of the MSI yield criterion exhibit good consistency with the experimental data of various ductile metal materials. The new burst pressure formula established by incorporating the MSI criterion provides a safe, economical, and reliable theoretical foundation for the design, manufacture, inspection, and safety assessment of thin-walled pipelines in production practice.