Leak-before-break (LBB) behavior was evaluated for two series of API 5L X65 line pipes and three series of X80 line pipes with various levels of Charpy V-notch (CVN) absorbed energy. Full-scale hydrostatic burst tests were conducted for the line pipes with an axial through-wall (TW) notch to determine LBB criteria, that is, the relationship between the axial TW notch length and hoop stress for LBB. The determined LBB criteria were verified by full-scale partial gas burst tests for line pipes with an axial part-through-wall (PTW) notch and were then compared to the estimation using the CVN energy-based equation that Kiefner et al. have proposed. The present study demonstrated that the estimation using the CVN-based equation was in good agreement with the experimental results for the pipes with a relatively low CVN energy of less than 130 J. On the contrary, the equation was not applicable to the pipes with a relatively high CVN energy of more than 130 J. The results of instrumented Charpy tests clarified that the load versus load-point displacement curves for Charpy specimens from the high CVN energy pipes were different from those from the low CVN energy pipes. Therefore, the applicability of the CVN-based equation was dependent on the load versus load-point displacement curve for a Charpy specimen.

1.
American Petroleum Institute (API), 2000, “Specification for Line Pipe,” API SPEC 5L.
2.
Chaudhari
,
V.
,
Ritzmann
,
H. P.
,
Wellnitz
,
G.
,
Hillenbrand
,
H. G.
, and
Willings
,
V.
,
1995
, “
German Gas Pipeline First to Use New Generation Line Pipe
,”
Oil Gas J.
, January 2, pp.
40
46
.
3.
Glover, A. G., Horsley, D. J., and Dorling, D. V., 1998, “Pipeline Design and Construction Using Higher Strength Steels,” Proc. 2nd International Pipeline Conference (IPC1998), Calgary, Alberta, Canada, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Vol. 2, pp. 659–664.
4.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 2000, “Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems,” B31.8.
5.
Barsanti, L., Hillenbrand, H. G., Mannucci, G., Demofonti, G., and Harris, D., 2002, “Possible Use of New Materials for High Pressure Line Pipe Construction: An Opening on X100 Grade Steel,” IPC2002-27089, Proc. 4th International Pipeline Conference (IPC2002), Calgary, Alberta, Canada, American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
6.
Glover, A., 2002, “Application of Grade 550 (X80) and Grade 690 (X100) in Arctic Climates,” Proc. International Pipe Dreamer’s Conference, Toyoda, M. and Denys, R., Eds., Yokohama, Japan, Scientific Surveys Ltd, UK, pp. 33–52.
7.
Wilkowski
,
G. M.
,
2000
, “
Leak-Before-Break: What Does It Really Mean?
J. Pressure Vessel Technol.
,
122
, pp.
267
272
.
8.
Kiefner, J. F., Maxey, W. A., Eiber, R. J., and Duffy, A. R., 1973, “Failure Stress Levels of Flaws in Pressurized Cylinders,” Progress in Flaw Growth and Fracture Toughness Testing, ASTM STP 536, American Society for Testing and Materials, pp. 461–481.
9.
Maxey, W. A., 1974, “Fracture Initiation, Propagation and Arrest,” Proc. 5th Symposium on Line Pipe Research, Houston, Texas, American Gas Association, Paper J.
10.
Dugdale
,
D. S.
,
1960
, “
Yielding of Steel Sheets Containing Slits
,”
J. Mech. Phys. Solids
,
8
, pp.
100
104
.
11.
Hahn
,
G. T.
,
Sarrate
,
M.
, and
Rosenfield
,
A. R.
,
1969
, “
Criteria for Crack Extension in Cylindrical Pressure Vessels
,”
International Journal of Fracture Mechanics
,
5
, No.
3
, pp.
187
210
.
12.
Folias, E. S., 1964, “The Stresses in a Cylindrical Shell Containing an Axial Crack,” ARL 64-174, Aerospace Research Laboratories, Office of Aerospace Research, U.S. Air Force.
13.
Wilkowski, G. M., Olsen, R. J., and Scott, P. M., 1997, “State-of-the-Art Report on Piping Fracture Mechanics,” NUREG/CR-6540, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, pp. 2.58–2.70.
14.
Maxey, W. A., Kiefner, J. F., Eiber, R. J., and Duffey, A. R., 1972, “Ductile Fracture Initiation, Propagation, and Arrest in Cylindrical Vessels,” Fracture Toughness, Proceedings of the 1971 National Symposium on Fracture Mechanics, Part II, ASTM STP 514, American Society for Testing and Materials, pp. 70–81.
15.
Wilkowski
,
G. M.
,
Maxey
,
W. A.
, and
Eiber
,
R. J.
,
1980
, “
Use of the DWTT Energy for Predicting Ductile Fracture Behavior in Controlled-Rolled Steel Line Pipes
,”
Can. Metall. Q.
,
19-1
, pp.
59
77
.
16.
Wilkowski, G. M., and Maxey, W. A., 1983, “Review and Applications of the Electric Potential Method for Measuring Crack Growth in Specimens, Flawed Pipes and Pressure Vessels,” Fracture Mechanics: 14th Symposium—Volume II: Testing and Applications, J. C. Lewis and G. Sines, eds., ASTM STP 791, American Society for Testing and Materials, pp. II-266–II-294.
You do not currently have access to this content.