SCC Assessment Based on Probability Fracture Mechanics Considering SCC Initiation and Propagation Under Residual Stress Fields Generated by Machining and Welding Process of Pipes

Author(s):  
Masahito Mochizuki ◽  
Ryohei Ihara ◽  
Jinya Katsuyama ◽  
Makoto Udagawa

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) has been observed near the welded zones of pipes made of austenitic stainless steel type 316L. Residual stress is an important factor for SCC. In the joining processes of pipes, butt welding is conducted after surface machining. Residual stress is generated by both processes, and the residual stress distribution by surface machining is varied by the subsequent butt-welding process. In this study, numerical analysis of the residual stress distribution by butt welding after surface machining was performed by the finite element method. The SCC initiation time was estimated by the residual stress obtained at the inner surface. SCC growth analyses based on probability fracture mechanics were performed by using the SCC initiation time and the residual stress distribution. As a result, the residual stress distribution in the axial direction due to butt welding after surface machining has high tensile stress exceeding 1000 MPa at the inner surface. The effect of SCC initiation on leakage probability is not as significant as the effect of plastic strain on the crack growth rate. However, to perform crack growth analyses considering SCC initiation, evaluation of the residual stress due to surface machining and welding is important.

Author(s):  
John E. Broussard

The residual stresses imparted by the welding process are a principal factor in the process of primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) of Alloy 82/182 nickel-alloy (i.e., dissimilar metal or DM) piping butt welds in PWRs. While Section XI of the ASME Code requires that residual stresses are considered in crack growth calculations, there is little guidance or requirement on how to calculate them. Analytical models are frequently used to simulate the welding process in order to predict the residual stress distribution in the weld and base material as an input to crack growth calculations. The crack growth calculations, in turn, have demonstrated a high sensitivity to the welding residual stress distribution inputs. While significant progress has been made in understanding and reducing the variability in calculated residual stress among modelers as well as the variability in measured residual stress among different techniques, there remains some uncertainty regarding any given measured or calculated distribution. A feasible alternative to calculating through-wall stress distributions with analytical models on a case-by-case basis is to develop a set of standardized through-wall stress distributions that are applicable to DM welds. Examples of standardized through-wall distributions for residual stress are found in numerous consensus code and standards. The benefit of established through-wall stress distributions is that evaluations for flaws in welds would start from a uniform basis on one of the key inputs to the crack growth calculation, reducing the time required to perform and review flaw evaluations. This paper presents and describes the technical basis for a set of through-wall distributions for common DM welds found in the US nuclear industry. The basis of the distributions include the results of analytical models, including uncertainty, as well as measured data for through-wall stress in DM welds.


Author(s):  
Itaru Muroya ◽  
Youichi Iwamoto ◽  
Naoki Ogawa ◽  
Kiminobu Hojo ◽  
Kazuo Ogawa

In recent years, the occurrence of primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) in Alloy 600 weld regions of PWR plants has increased. In order to evaluate the crack propagation of PWSCC, it is required to estimate stress distribution including residual stress and operational stress through the wall thickness of the Alloy 600 weld region. In a national project in Japan for the purpose of establishing residual stress evaluation method, two test models were produced based on a reactor vessel outlet nozzle of Japanese PWR plants. One (Test model A) was produced using the same welding process applied in Japanese PWR plants in order to measure residual stress distribution of the Alloy 132 weld region. The other (Test model B) was produced using the same fabrication process in Japanese PWR plants in order to measure stress distribution change of the Alloy 132 weld region during fabrication process such as a hydrostatic test, welding a main coolant pipe to the stainless steel safe end. For Test model A, residual stress distribution was obtained using FE analysis, and was compared with the measured stress distribution. By comparing results, it was confirmed that the FE analysis result was in good agreement with the measurement result. For mock up test model B, the stress distribution of selected fabrication processes were measured using the Deep Hole Drilling (DHD) method. From these measurement results, it was found that the stress distribution in thickness direction at the center of the Alloy 132 weld line was changed largely during welding process of the safe end to the main coolant pipe.


2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (04) ◽  
pp. 384-391
Author(s):  
Tetyana Gurova ◽  
Segen F. Estefen ◽  
Anatoli Leontiev ◽  
Plinio T. Barbosa ◽  
Valentin Zhukov ◽  
...  

Repair by welding is widely used in the shipbuilding industry during ship construction. The effect of the residual stress distribution induced by the welding process on the ship structure is important for the repair effectiveness. This article presents an experimental study of the residual stress distribution induced by repair welding in the plates that are typically used in ships and offshore structures. Different repair techniques are evaluated to identify the best practice associated with residual stress values. Recommendations for repair welding are discussed, and modifications to the present practice are proposed.


Author(s):  
Jinya Katsuyama ◽  
Wataru Asano ◽  
Kunio Onizawa ◽  
Masahito Mochizuki ◽  
Masao Toyoda

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of core internals and/or recirculation pipes of austenite stainless steel (Type 316L) has been observed. When a SCC is detected at the reactor internals or pipes, it is necessary to calculate crack growth behavior of the crack for a certain operational period. The SCC initiates and grows near the welding zone because of high tensile residual stress by welding relative to the other contributing factors of material and environment. Therefore, the residual stress analysis due to welds of austenitic stainless piping is becoming important and has been already conducted by many researchers. In present work, the through-thickness residual stress distributions near multi-pass butt-welds of Type 316L pipes have been calculated by thermo-elastic-plastic analyses with the geometric and welding conditions changed and collected from literatures. Then crack growth simulations were performed using calculated and collected residual stress distributions. The effects of geometric and welding conditions on crack growth behavior were also discussed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 155-156 ◽  
pp. 1218-1222
Author(s):  
Lei Wang ◽  
Mitsuyosi Tsunori

Residual stress distribution plays a very important role in welded structures, the aim of present work is to find out the effect of different welding methods on the residual stress distribution by means of neutron diffraction measurements and FE models simulation. 4 mm thick DH-36 steel plates were butt welded by MIG welding process and 5 mm thick AA 2024 aluminium alloy plates were butt welded by friction stir welding process. Results show that residual stresses of MIG welding process are higher than those of friction stir welding process. The peak residual stress of MIG weld is close to the room temperature uniaxial yield strength of DH-36 while the peak residual stress of friction stir weld is just about 50% of the room temperature uniaxial yield strength of AA2024. The size effect of MIG welded and effect of welding speeds of friction stir welded on the residual stress distribution have also been studied in the paper.


Author(s):  
Bai-Qiao Chen ◽  
C. Guedes Soares

This work investigates the temperature distribution, deformation and residual stress in steel plates as a result of different sequences of welding. The single-pass gas tungsten arc welding process is simulated by a three dimensional nonlinear thermo-elasto-plastic approach. It is observed that the distribution of residual stress varies through the direction of plate thickness. It is concluded that the welding sequence affects not only the welding deformation but also the residual stress mainly in the lower layer of the plates. An in-depth discussion on the pattern of residual stress distribution is presented, especially on the width of the tension zone. Smaller residual tension zone and slightly lower compressive stress are found in thicker plate.


1981 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. F. Rybicki ◽  
R. B. Stonesifer ◽  
R. J. Olson

The effect of a girth-weld-induced residual stress field on the linear elastic fracture mechanics of a thin-walled pipe is examined. The procedure for using the residual stress distribution to compute KI and KII for a circumferential crack which is growing radially is described. In addition to the two-pass girth weld, stress intensity factors are computed for a residual stress distribution in a flat plate and for a hypothetical residual stress state in a second thin-walled pipe. The computed stress intensity factor for the flat plate geometry and its residual stress distribution are compared with a solution from the literature as a check on the computational procedure. The through-the-thickness residual stress distribution due to the two-pass girth weld is similar to a half-cosine wave. For purposes of comparison, the hypothetical through-the-thickness distribution selected for the second pipe is similar to a full cosine wave. The stress intensity factor is presented as a function of crack depth for a crack initiating on the inner surface of the pipe. The redistribution of residual stresses due to crack growth is also shown for selected crack lengths. The study shows that residual stress-induced crack growth in pipes can be significantly different from that in flat plates due to the possibility of locked-in residual bending moments in the pipe. These locked-in moments can have effects similar to externally applied loads and can either promote or restrain crack growth. A residual stress distribution is illustrated in which crack growth, if initiated, would continue through the entire wall. Also, a residual stress distribution is illustrated for which the crack could arrest after a certain amount of growth.


2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsumasa Miyazaki ◽  
Masahito Mochizuki

The stress intensity factor estimated by the appropriate modeling of components is essential for the evaluation of crack growth behavior in stress corrosion cracking. For the appropriate modeling of a welded component with a crack, it is important to understand the effects of residual stress distribution and the geometry of the component on the stress intensity factor of the surface crack. In this study, the stress intensity factors of surface cracks under two assumed residual stress fields were calculated. As residual stress field, a bending type stress field (tension-compression) and a self-equilibrating stress field (tension-compression-tension) through the thickness were assumed, respectively. The geometries of the components were plate and piping. The assumed surface cracks for those evaluations were a long crack in the surface direction and a semi-elliptical surface crack. In addition, crack growth evaluations were conducted to clarify the effects of residual stress distribution and the geometry of the component. Here, the crack growth evaluation means simulating increments of crack depth and length using crack growth properties and stress intensity factors. The effects of residual stress distribution and component geometry on the stress intensity factor of surface cracks and the appropriate modeling of cracked components are discussed by comparing the stress intensity factors and the crack growth evaluations for surface cracks under residual stress fields.


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