To obtain an accurate and reliable prediction formula of burst pressure for pipelines

a new yield criterion was proposed to analyze the plastic failure of pipelines. By calculating the integral mean value of the apothem with variable angle

a yield criterion in the form of principal stress components was established

which is called homogenization yield criterion. The locus of the criterion on the π-plane is located in the interior of the Mises circle

and the geometric shape is a dodecagon with equal sides and unequal angles. By comparing with the experimental data of metal yielding

it showed that the rewritten formula by the Lode parameters for this criterion was a connected piecewise line

which was in good agreement with the experimental data. Based on this criterion

the stress and strain fields of a pipeline were analyzed

and an analytical solution of burst pressure for the pipeline was obtained in consideration of the strain-hardening effect of the material. Then

the main parameters that influence the burst pressure were discussed. The experimental data was compared with the burst pressure obtained based on the Tresca

Mises

and TSS yield criteria. Results showed that the prediction results of burst pressure were dependent on different yield criteria

and the results based on the proposed criterion had higher approximation to the experimental data. In addition

it was found that the geometry size of the pipeline and the strain-hardening exponent were the main factors that determine the burst pressure

and the pipeline with thicker wall or smaller diameter could bear more pressure. The results of this paper are significant to the design and evaluation of oil and gas pipelines.