Finite Element Analysis for the Evaluation of Cracks at a Pipe-Flange Welded Part by the Direct-Current Potential Difference Method

Author(s):  
Naoya Tada ◽  
Masaki Kosaka

The use of a flange joint is a popular method to close the end of pipes or connect pipes in manufacturing industries. As the pipes are often subjected to vibrations and cyclic bending, fatigue cracking may occur at the welded part between the pipe and flange. It is therefore important to detect and monitor the cracking in this part to ensure safety of the whole piping system. The direct-current potential difference method (DC-PDM) is known as a suitable non-destructive technique to monitor the initiation and growth of cracks and it has been applied to cracks and wall thinning on the inner surface of pipes. In this study, finite element analyses were carried out to clarify the relationship between the size and location of cracks at the pipe-flange welded part and the potential difference. An evaluation method of circumferential crack length angle by DC-PDM was proposed.

Author(s):  
Naoya Tada ◽  
Makoto Uchida ◽  
Hiroki Maeda ◽  
Atsushi Hozuki

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is one of serious damages occurred in power generating plants, petrochemical plants, and gas pipelines. However, it is not easy to detect and evaluate SCCs because their shapes are complex and they are usually initiated in the weldment composed of base metal, weld metal, and heat-affected zone. In this study, the direct-current potential difference method (DC-PDM) was applied to SCCs artificially introduced in plate specimens and the applicability of DC-PDM to their detection was discussed. It was found from the measurement results that the potential differences near SCC were higher than those away from SCC. This fact suggests that SCC is detectable by DC-PDM.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document