Non-Linear Dynamic Analysis of Pipe Whip

Abstract

The dynamic non-linear behavior of pipe whip of a steam line piping system is studied using the general purpose finite element program MARC. The study showed that plastic deformation of the steam line will occur at strains higher than the maximum permissible material strain of 35%. It also indicates that the magnitude of the blowdown force following a guillotine break may be reduced by the deformation of the pipe cross section. This study can be used as a guideline for assessing the behavior of other steam lines following a pipe break.