Burst pressure of thin-walled pipes with arbitrarily orientated isolated surface corrosion defect

Accurate prediction of the burst pressure is essential for structural integrity assessment of pipelines. Current design codes and models for residual burst pressure assessment of pipelines with surface corrosion defects are only applicable to axially orientated defects. Theoretical and empirical models for the prediction of burst pressure of thin-walled pipes with pre-existing localised and arbitrarily oriented surface corrosion defect are proposed. The theoretical model is based on power-law hardening and J2 flow theory while the empirical model is derived from nonlinear finite element analysis results of the burst pressure. Burst pressure experiments are used to validate the model predictions. The theoretical and empirical models are found to be reliable in predicting the effect of defect width, length, and orientation on the burst pressure. •Theoretical and empirical burst pressure prediction models are developed.•The models quantify effect of defect geometry and orientation on burst pressure.•Burst pressure experiments are used to validate the model predictions.•Axial defect is more detrimental to burst pressure than circumferential defect.