Development of an Engineering-Based Hydrogen-Assisted Fatigue Crack Growth Design Methodology for Code Implementation

Published

July 20, 2014

Author(s)

Robert L. Amaro, Elizabeth S. Drexler, Andrew J. Slifka

Abstract

A primary barrier to the widespread use of gaseous hydrogen as an energy carrier is the creation of a hydrogen-specific transportation network. Research performed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of transportation and ASME committee B31.12 (Hydrogen Piping and Pipelines), has resulted in a phenomenological model to predict fatigue crack growth of API pipeline steels cyclically loaded in high-pressure gaseous hydrogen. The full model predicts hydrogen-assisted (HA) fatigue crack growth (FCG) as a function of applied load and hydrogen pressure. Implementation of the model into an engineering format is crucial for the realization of a hydrogen-specific transportation system. Working closely with ASME B31.12, two simplified iterations of the model have been created for an engineering-based code implementation. The engineering-based iterations are detailed here and the benefits of both are discussed. A case study is then presented detailing the use of both versions. The work is concluded with a discussion of the potential impact that model implementation would have upon future hydrogen pipeline installations.

Volume

6B

Conference Dates

July 20-24, 2014

Conference Location

Anaheim, CA

Conference Title

2014 ASME Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference

Pub Type

Conferences

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DOI Link

Keywords

pipeline steel, hydrogen-assisted fatigue crack growth, predictive model, code implementation

Citation

Amaro, R. , Drexler, E. and Slifka, A. (2014), Development of an Engineering-Based Hydrogen-Assisted Fatigue Crack Growth Design Methodology for Code Implementation, 2014 ASME Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, Anaheim, CA, [online], https://doi.org/10.1115/PVP2014-28943 (Accessed November 4, 2025)