ABSTRACT
This research has been inspired by security concerns to ensure safe utilization of pipeline systems used for gas and crude oil transportation. Compromised pipeline security often results from terrorist threat and warfare activities, especially in regions that are of significant value for the world’s energy supplies. Computational mechanics methods used in this research seem to be equally applicable to such events as disturbances in routine pipelines operation by seismic or mining activities, as they also require similar shock wave analysis for possible damage assessment of the affected pipelines. These methods may also be used in a wider range of construction types including pipelines in power plants (especially nuclear) which are usually placed high on the homeland security priority list.
