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Phase-field modeling of near-neutral pH stress corrosion crack initiation life in underground pipelines
  • Edel R. Martnez,
  • Solomon Tesfamariam
Edel R. Martnez
The University of British Columbia Okanagan

Corresponding Author:edel.martinez@ubc.ca

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Solomon Tesfamariam
The University of British Columbia Okanagan
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Abstract

A unified phase-field theory is introduced to describe crack initiation and early crack growth due to pitting corrosion of pipelines in contact with near-neutral pH groundwater. The model incorporates a formulation that accounts for stochastic corrosion-induced crack nucleation events at pit sites. This approach supplies a modeling framework to handle the combined effects of electrochemical transformation of the original metal, hydrogen diffusion and resulting embrittlement of the original metal, and mechanical stresses. This is a robust computational approach to tracking the evolving metalelectrolyte interface and embrittlement regions. It was confirmed that dissolved hydrogen into the material promotes crack initiation over a wide potential range and that pitting corrosion, as a precursor of stress corrosion cracking, has a recognizable influence on strength over time. It is expected that this work provides the ground for modeling the pit-to-crack transition required to effectively control very slow crack-in-colonies in pipelines.
07 Jul 2022Submitted to Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials & Structures
07 Jul 2022Submission Checks Completed
07 Jul 2022Assigned to Editor
09 Jul 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Aug 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Aug 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
28 Sep 20221st Revision Received
28 Sep 2022Submission Checks Completed
28 Sep 2022Assigned to Editor
29 Sep 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
05 Oct 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
06 Oct 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major