Quote:
Originally Posted by aschen
Is there a high probability that would have failed spectacularly if left unnoticed? I would have thought the crack would just propagate and open up more of less gradually.
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No. A better engineer than I am is going to have to explain it in detail, but the stress is greater at the point of a crack than anywhere along the crack. The surrounding structure gives the entire structure its strength. When part of that surrounding structure is breached, the stress ( and accompanying strain) at the point is more than the material can withstand without deforming. Stick a pin in a balloon and examine the carcass. It's not a balloon with a little hole in it, it's in shreds.
https://sites.google.com/site/metropolitanforensics/cause-of-explosion-of-air-compressor-tanks