Examination of the Transferability of CTOA From Small-Scale DWTT to Full-Scale Pipe Geometries Using a Cohesive Zone Model
Abstract In this work, the cohesive zone model (CZM) was used to examine the transferability of the crack tip opening angle (CTOA) from small-scale to full-scale geometries. The pipe steel STPG370 was modeled. A drop-weight tear test (DWTT) model and pipe model were studied using the finite element code ABAQUS 2017x. The cohesive zone model was used to simulate crack propagation in 3D. The CZM parameters were calibrated based on matching the surface CTOA measured from a DWTT finite element model to the surface CTOA measured from the experimental DWTT specimen. The mid-thickness CTOA of the DWTT model was in good agreement with the experimental value determined from E3039 and the University of Tokyo group’s load-displacement data. The CZM parameters were then applied to the pipe model. The internal pressure distribution and decay during the pipe fracture process was modeled using the experimental data and implemented through a user-subroutine (VDLOAD). The mid-thickness CTOA from the DWTT model was similar to the mid-thickness CTOA from the pipe model. The average surface CTOA of the pipe model was in good agreement with the average experimental value. The results give confidence in the transferability of the CTOA between small-scale specimens and full-scale pipe.