On the Gasdynamics of Running Ductile Fracture in a Pressurized Line Pipe

Developments in the modeling of the gasdynamics associated with running ductile fracture in pressurised line pipe are reviewed and critically examined. It is argued that existing models of gas escape through a flaring axial crack in a pipe may not be generally applicable. A new model of gas escape, based on two-dimensional flow and directed toward large crack opening situations, is presented, and results obtained with this model compare favorably with experiments. Implications of the present results concerning the driving force for crack propagation are discussed.