Fatigue Growth Prediction of Internal Surface Cracks in Pressure Vessels

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. B. Lin ◽  
R. A. Smith

Fatigue crack growth was numerically simulated for various internal surface cracks with initially either semi-elliptical or irregular crack fronts. The simulation was directly based on a series of three-dimensional finite element analyses from which the stress intensity factors along the front of growing cracks were estimated. The fatigue crack growth law obtained from small laboratory specimens was incrementally integrated at a set of points along the crack front, and a new crack front was then re-established according to the local advances at this set of points by using a cubic spline curve. This method enabled the crack shape to be predicted without having to make the usual assumption of semi-elliptical shape. Fatigue analysis results are presented and discussed for fatigue shape developments and deviations from the semi-elliptical shape, aspect ratio changes, stress intensity factor variations during crack growth, and fatigue life predictions. Some of the results were also compared with those obtained by two simplified methods based on one and two degree-of-freedom models, respectively.

Author(s):  
X. B. Lin ◽  
R. A. Smith

An advanced technique has been developed by the authors to predict fatigue crack growth for longitudinal and circumferential planar defects with arbitrary shape in pressure vessels. This is based on the step-by-step integration of an experimental fatigue crack growth law at a set of points along the crack front, enabling the crack shape developed during the fatigue process to be predicted. The stress intensity factors along the crack front are calculated by a three-dimensional finite element method. Automatic regeneration of finite element models for propagating cracks designed for this technique makes the simulation technique highly efficient. In this paper, following a description of the principle of the technique, some typical crack geometries are investigated. These include external and internal surface longitudinal cracks, an embedded longitudinal crack, a twin crack configuration and two circumferential surface cracks. The results obtained are compared with both the widely used ASME XI and BSI PD6493 guidelines, and some discussion on the safe use of the two guidelines is made.


Author(s):  
Nam-Su Huh ◽  
Do-Jun Shim ◽  
Ji-Ho Kim ◽  
Gery M. Wilkowski ◽  
Jun-Seok Yang

For Leak-Before-Break (LBB) analysis of nuclear piping, a circumferential through-wall crack (TWC) with the crack front parallel to the cylinder radius is typically postulated, i.e., an idealized TWC. Such assumption simplifies the LBB analysis significantly. However, in reality, an internal surface crack grows through the wall thickness and penetrates through the wall thickness at the deepest point. Hence, a TWC with different crack lengths at inner and outer surfaces is formed. Such a TWC is referred to as a “slanted TWC” in the present study. Leak rates as well as SCC and fatigue crack growth rates of slanted TWC are expected to be quite different from those of postulated idealized TWC. In this context, characterization of the actual TWC shape during crack growth due to fatigue or stress corrosion cracking is essential for accurate LBB analysis. Based on detailed 3-dimensional (3-D) elastic finite element (FE) analyses, the present paper provides stress intensity factors (SIFs) for plates and cylinders with slanted TWCs. As for loading conditions, axial tension was considered for the plates, whereas axial tension and global bending were considered for the cylinders. In order to cover the practical range of crack sizes, the geometric variables affecting the SIF were systematically varied. Based on FE analysis results, SIFs along the crack front, including the inner and outer surface points, were provided. The SIFs of slanted TWC can be used to evaluate the fatigue crack growth of a TWC and to perform detailed LBB analysis considering a more realistic crack shape.


1977 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
E H R Wade ◽  
G M C Lee

A series of tests are reported which support the proposal that fatigue crack growth rates are retarded by crack closure at low values of applied mean stress intensity. In particular, the evidence presented indicates that closure occurs most readily at the specimen's free surfaces. This leads to dramatic changes in crack front profile under certain loading conditions.


2007 ◽  
Vol 348-349 ◽  
pp. 129-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto G. Citarella ◽  
Friedrich G. Buchholz

In this paper detailed results of computational 3D fatigue crack growth simulations will be presented. The simulations for the crack path assessment are based on the DBEM code BEASY, and the FEM code ADAPCRACK 3D. The specimen under investigation is a SEN-specimen subject to pure anti-plane or out-of-plane four-point shear loading. The computational 3D fracture analyses deliver variable mixed mode II and III conditions along the crack front. Special interest is taken in this mode coupling effect to be found in stress intensity factor (SIF) results along the crack front. Further interest is taken in a 3D effect which is effective in particular at and adjacent to the two crack front corner points, that is where the crack front intersects the two free side surfaces of the specimen. Exactly at these crack front corner points fatigue crack growth initiates in the experimental laboratory test specimens, and develops into two separate anti-symmetric cracks with complex shapes, somehow similar to bird wings. The computational DBEM results are found to be in good agreement with these experimental findings and with FEM results previously obtained. Consequently, also for this new case, with complex 3D crack growth behaviour of two cracks, the functionality of the proposed DBEM and FEM approaches can be stated.


Author(s):  
Steven J. Polasik ◽  
Carl E. Jaske

Pipeline operators must rely on fatigue crack growth models to evaluate the effects of operating pressure acting on flaws within the longitudinal seam to set re-assessment intervals. In most cases, many of the critical parameters in these models are unknown and must be assumed. As such, estimated remaining lives can be overly conservative, potentially leading to unrealistic and short reassessment intervals. This paper describes the fatigue crack growth methodology utilized by Det Norske Veritas (USA), Inc. (DNV), which is based on established fracture mechanics principles. DNV uses the fracture mechanics model in CorLAS™ to calculate stress intensity factors using the elastic portion of the J-integral for either an elliptically or rectangularly shaped surface crack profile. Various correction factors are used to account for key variables, such as strain hardening rate and bulging. The validity of the stress intensity factor calculations utilized and the effect of modifying some key parameters are discussed and demonstrated against available data from the published literature.


Author(s):  
João Ferreira ◽  
José A. F. O. Correia ◽  
Grzegorz Lesiuk ◽  
Sergio Blasón González ◽  
Maria Cristina R. Gonzalez ◽  
...  

Pressure vessels and piping are commonly subjected to plastic deformation during manufacturing or installation. This pre-deformation history, usually called pre-strain, may have a significant influence on the resistance against fatigue crack growth of the material. Several studies have been performed to investigate the pre-strain effects on the pure mode I fatigue crack propagation, but less on mixed-mode (I+II) fatigue crack propagation conditions. The present study aims at investigating the effect of tensile plastic pre-strain on fatigue crack growth behavior (da/dN vs. ΔK) of the P355NL1 pressure vessel steel. For that purpose, fatigue crack propagation tests were conducted on specimens with two distinct degrees of pre-strain: 0% and 6%, under mixed mode (I+II) conditions using CTS specimens. Moreover, for comparison purposes, CT specimens were tested under pure mode I conditions for pre-strains of 0% and 3%. Contrary to the majority of previous studies, that applied plastic deformation directly on the machined specimen, in this work the pre-straining operation was carried out prior to the machining of the specimens with the objective to minimize residual stress effects and distortions. Results revealed that, for the P355NL1 steel, the tensile pre-strain increased fatigue crack initiation angle and reduced fatigue crack growth rates in the Paris region for mixed mode conditions. The pre-straining procedure had a clear impact on the Paris law constants, increasing the coefficient and decreasing the exponent. In the low ΔK region, results indicate that pre-strain causes a decrease in ΔKth.


Author(s):  
Eskandari Hadi ◽  
Nami Mohammad Rahim

The problem of fatigue-crack-growth in a rotating disc at different crack orientation angles is studied by using an automated numerical technique, which calculates the stress intensity factors on the crack front through the three-dimensional finite element method. Paris law is used to develop the fatigue shape of initially semi-elliptical surface crack. Because of needs for the higher mesh density and accuracy near the crack, the sub-modeling technique is used in the analysis. The distribution of SIF’s along the crack front at each step of growth is studied and the effect of crack orientation on the rate of crack-growth is investigated. The calculated SIF’s are reasonable and could be used to predict the probable crack growth rates in fracture mechanics analysis and can help engineers to consider in their designing and to prevent any unwanted failure of such components.


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