Basic of Drillpipe Tensile Capacity and Its Calculation

This article demonstrates basic knowledge understanding of tensile capacity of the drill pipe
and some calculation. First of all we need to know basic of material strength and for our case
is strength of metal.

There are few simple terminologies which we would like to explain.

Stress ()

Stress () equals to force divided by cross sectional area of the material

(F/A). For our case, we will discuss about only stress in tensile because
the drill pipe is almost always designed to work in a tensile condition.

Stress () =

Figure 1 Stress () = F/A

Strain ()

Strain () is a change of material per an original length. From the

definition, it equals to L/L (see Figure 2).

Strain () =

Figure 2 Strain Relationship

Youngs Modulus (Modulus of Elasticity)

Youngs modulus (the tensile modulus or elastic modulus) is a ratio of stress and strain along
the axis and we can write into the following equation.

Youngs modulus = =

Where;

F is pulling force.
L is an original length of pipe.
L is an amount by which the length of the pipe changes.
A is a cross sectional area of object.

The Youngs Modulus of material represents the factor of proportional in Hooks Law
therefore it will valid under the elastic zone. There are several units for Youngs Modulus as
N/m2 (Newton), Maga Pascal (N/mm2) and Pound per Square Inch (psi).
 Stress-Strain Curve
A stress-strain curve is a graph derived from Stress () versus Strain () for a sample of a
material. The nature of the curve varies from material to material. The following curve shows
a behavior of metal.

Figure 3 Stress-Strain Curve

Yield Point or Yield strength, is defined as the stress at which a material begins to plastically
deform. Before the yield point the material will deform elastically and it will return to its
original shape when the stress is released. If the tension applied is over the yield point, the
deformation will be permanent and non-reversible.

Ultimate strength is the maximum stress applied before the material is completely parted.

Youngs Modulus (modulus of elasticity) is the slope of the Stress-Strain curve within the
elastic limit (see Figure 4). It means that once tensile is less than Yield Point, the Youngs
Modulus is valid for the calculation.

Youngs Modulus of steel is 30 x 106 psi.

Figure 4 Youngs Modulus in The Elastic Zone

In drilling operation, we must operate within Yield point because the metal will become the
original shape. For example, if you get stuck, the maximum tension applied to free the stuck
drillstring must be always under yield point with a designed safety factor for the operation.
 Drill Pipe Body Grade
API RP7G classifies a grade of drill pipe body according to yield strength and tensile
requirement (see Table 1 and Table 2). Four grades of drill pipe are E, X, G and S.

Table 1 API Drill Pipe Grade US customary unit (Ref: API Specification 5DP Specification
for Drill Pipe EFFECTIVE DATE: AUGUST 1, 2010 Page 87))

Table 2 API Drill Pipe Grade SI unit (Ref: API Specification 5DP Specification for Drill
Pipe EFFECTIVE DATE: AUGUST 1, 2010 Page 55)

Drillpipe Tensile Capacity

Tensile capacity of drill pipe is maximum tension applied before the elastic limit is reached
and the formula is below;

Tensile Capacity = Cross Sectional Area x Yield Strength

In this article, we refer to US customary unit therefore the units for calculations are as
follows;

Tensile Capacity is in lb.

Cross Sectional Area is in square inch.
Yield Strength is in psi.
Example
API 5, S-135, NC50, Class New (100% Wall Thickness)
OD = 5 inch
Nominal ID = 4.276 inch
Minimum yield strength = 135,000 psi
What is the tensile capacity of this new pipe (100% wall thickness)?

Figure 5 Diagram of new pipe (100% wall thickness)

Wall thickness = (5-4.276) 2 = 0.362 inch

Figure 6 Wall Thickness of New Pipe

Cross Sectional Area of New Pipe = x (OD2 ID2) 4 = x (5.02 4.2762) 4

Cross Sectional Area of New Pipe = 5.275 square inch
Tensile Capacity = Cross Sectional Area x Yield Strength
Tensile Capacity = 5.275 x 135,000 = 712,070 lb.
What is the tensile capacity of the premium class (80% wall thickness)?
Premium class is defined as the minimum of wall thickness is 80% of new pipe. We will
discuss a little more about class of pipe later.
Wall thickness of new pipe = 0.362 inch
Wall thickness of premium class pipe = 0.8 x 0.362 = 0.290 inch therefore the OD is 4.856.

Figure 7 Wall Thickness of Premium Class Pipe

Cross Sectional Area of New Pipe = x (OD2 ID2) 4 = x (4.8562 4.2762) 4

Cross Sectional Area of New Pipe = 4.154 square inch

Tensile Capacity = Cross Sectional Area x Yield Strength

Tensile Capacity = 4.154 x 135,000 = 560,764 lb.

As you see from the calculation, premium class drill pipe has approximately 79% of tensile of
new pipe. This figure is very important for engineering design and drilling operation. For
instant, if you get stuck with the premium class pipe, you must apply tension less than the
tensile capacity of 560 Klb in order to ensure that you will not deform or damage your
drillstring.