Experimental study and finite element analysis of notch effect on HDPE pipes’ resistance under internal pressure

Abstract This work aims to study the notch effect in HDPE pipes. Burst tests were performed on notched pipes of HDPE for different depth ratios a/t to evaluate the burst pressure equivalent to each notch depth. 3D finite elements calculations were performed in the frame of elastic-plastic behavior, to predict the Von-Mises equivalent stress values at different positions of notch vicinity. Critical values of Von-Mises equivalent stress were predicted for different notch shapes and depths, also for different hydrostatic pressure levels. According to the obtained results, burst pressure value depends strongly on the notch depth. Hence, equivalent stress takes its maximum values in the immediate vicinity of the notch and then, gradually decreases through the outer pipes limit.