A physically-based analytical relationship for practical prediction of leakage in longitudinally cracked pressurized pipes

• Simple physically-based formula for leakage prediction in longitudinally cracked pipes.
• Formula derived from elastic beam model with continuous elastic tangential restraints.
• Validation through a comparison with experimental data available in literature.

The present paper focuses on the effect of pressure on the rate of leakage due to crack openings in water distribution system pipes. The aim of the paper is to derive a simple physically-based analytical formula capable of predicting leakage in pipes with longitudinal cracks. Such analytical relationship is derived by properly simplifying a beam model on elastic restraints, recently published by the authors, that predicts the behavior of a longitudinal pipe strip in the cracked zone. The resultant relation is calibrated against three-dimensional finite element simulations and validated through a comparison with several experimental data. The proposed formula can support water providers in the quantification of leakage prediction.