A fluid-structure model for fast brittle fracture in plastic pipes

This paper presents an intermediate stage in the development of a unified computational model based on finite volume (FV) discretization, for coupled fluid-structure analysis of rapid crack propagation fluid-pressurized plastic pipes. The pressure profile behind the crack tip, which is the main source of the crack driving force, is computed by combining a one-dimensional (1-D) gas how analysis with FV stress analysis of the pipe. The coupled model is then validated against experimental results and used to determine the dependence of crack driving force on crack speed and to study the effect of various physical parameters on crack driving force. (C) 2000 Academic Press.