A fracture mechanics based approach for the analysis of crack growth at weld joints of ship structures

2015 ◽  
pp. 299-306

The use of a fracture mechanics approach, based on the rate of release of strain energy, to account for various features of the failure of vulcanized rubbers is outlined. The properties considered include those to which fracture mechanics is often applied — tear, tensile failure, crack growth and fatigue — and others to which its application is less usual — abrasion, ozone attack and cutting by sharp objects. The relation of macroscopically observed properties to the basic molecular strength of the material is also discussed. An example of a quantitative practical application of the rubber fracture work, to groove cracking in tyres, is then considered. Finally, the rather more complicated fracture that can occur in rubber—cord laminates is discussed and it is shown that the energetics approach can be applied to some features, at least, of this.


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.


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