Failure analysis of biocomposite sandwich pipe under internal pressure – Application for high pressure gas transportation pipelines MEDGAZ

Abstract

In this paper, analytical and 3D numerical models are developed to investigate the mechanical behavior of sandwich pipe under internal pressure loading. The suggested models provide an exact solution for stresses, strains and displacement on the sandwich pipe, which is made of epoxy material for the core layer and reinforced materials with an alternate-ply for the skin layers. The aim of this analysis is to evaluate the potential applications of jute and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) bio-fibers in order to replace glass synthetic fibers generally employed in sandwich pipes. In this subject, a failure analytical analysis was developed using TSAI-WU criterion. The results of stress, strain and displacement distribution through the thickness are presented for the analytical and numerical models. The comparison between the both models results show a very good agreement. In order to increase the rigidity of a biocomposite sandwich and reduce the gap compared with a synthetic sandwich, a gradual reinforcing of layer numbers was chosen, which permitted the best behavior. The ultimate pressure and safety factors obtained by increasing biocomposite layers are significant for composite transportation pressure pipelines, especially for sandwich pipe based on PALF/epoxy.