Comparison of fracture response of preflawed tubes under internal static and detonation loading

The role of loading rate and fluid properties in the fracture of piping under internal explosions is an important issue for designers and accident analysis. This was examined by fracture experiments on thin-walled and preflawed aluminum 6061-T6 tubes. The tubes were (1) statically loaded with oil, (2) statically loaded with nitrogen, and (3) dynamically loaded with gaseous detonations traveling at 2.4 km/s. The tubes were also instrumented with pressure transducers, crack detection gages, and strain gages. The experiments were controlled so that comparisons could be made on identical specimens. Fracture behavior was discussed along with fluid dynamics.