Experimental and Numerical Testing of Gas Pipeline Subjected to Excavator Elements Interference

The main aim of the paper is to investigate and validate the behavior of a pipeline in the conditions of excavator elements external interference. A number of experimental tests were conducted. Four different cases were taken into account: two geometries of indenter with and without internal pressure. Discrete model of a tested pipe was developed and validated with the actual one. Simulations were performed using ls-dyna implicit code. The results obtained from the analyses were compared with the experimental tests and showed good accuracy in terms of force characteristics obtained in all simulated cases. Moreover, stress distribution in every case was also compared and discussed.