Pipe Burst Working Pressure Calculator Barlow's Formula

Fluid Flow Table of Contents
Hydraulic and Pneumatic Knowledge

This calculator and associated equations will determine the working pressure of a known diameter pipe. The equation used is Barlows Formula which relates the internal pressure of a pipe to the dimensions and strength of its material.

This formula applies to the design of autoclaves and other pressure vessels. The formula is named after Peter Barlow, an English mathematician.

Pipe Diagram

Equation:
Pressure Formula

Where:

P = Fluid Pressure (psi)
T = Pipe Wall Thickness (in)
O.D. = Pipe Outside Diameter (in)
SF = Safety factor (General Calculations 1.5 10, Use 1 For Bursting Pressure)

S =  Material Strength (psi) Ultimate Tensile strength or Yield strength can be used. Ultimate should be used to determine the bursting pressure. Yield can be used for estimating pressures at which permanent deformation begins.

Pipe Working Pressure Calculation
Variable Description Input Units
Outside Diameter (OD) = inches
Wall Thickness (T) = inches
Allowable Stress (S) = psi
Safety Factor (SF) =?? See Above
Results
Working Pressure (p) psi
Bursting Pressure psi