Comparative analysis of damage to the marine pipeline by linear shaped and blasting charges

The blow-up of the marine pipeline raised an international uproar. The destruction of the pipeline not only causes great economic losses but also has a significant impact on the ecological environment. In order to investigate the damage process of the marine pipeline, a fluid–structure interaction underwater explosion model based on the Arbitrary Lagrange Euler method is established. Damage effects of the blasting charge and linear-shaped charge (LSC) with equal charge (50 kg Rotary Deuterated eXchange) are compared and analyzed. The calculation results show that the steel pipes are mainly subject to localized shear damage and concave deformation. The penetration hole caused by blasting charge has a length of 530 mm and a width of 125 mm, while the size of the penetration hole caused by LSC is 1042 mm in length and 304 mm in width. In addition, the protective concrete layer appears different degrees of shedding and cracking. However, neither of the charges causes significant damage to the lower surface of the pipeline. Then the damage results for the two types of charge arranged on both sides of the pipeline are further compared and analyzed. Blasting charge form 579 mm long and 97 mm wide penetration holes on both sides of the pipeline. Concave deformation occurs near the penetration hole, but the outer sides of the pipeline are less deformed. As for LSC, it can form 881 mm long and 288 mm wide interconnected penetration holes on the pipeline, and the pipeline shows signs of overall fracture.