Improvement of J Estimation Schemes Based on Reference Stress for Linear Hardening Behavior

In Elastic-Plastic Fracture Mechanics, several J-estimation schemes are based on the reference stress approach. This approach has been developed initially for creep analyses and later on for elasto-plastic fracture assessments in 1984, then included in the R6 rule. Much later, other methods, based on the reference stress concept, were derived for 3D applications like the Js method introduced in the French RSE-M code in 1997 and the Enhanced Reference Stress (ERS) method in Korea around 2001. However, these developments are based on the J2 deformation plasticity theory and well established for a pure power hardening law. Js and ERS schemes propose some corrections for recorded behavior laws which cannot be fitted by a power law. Nevertheless, their application to materials governed by a bilinear hardening law has been called into question by several studies. One of these, carried out by M. T. Kirk and R. H. Dodds [1, 2] is of great interest since addressing the practical case of a surface cracked plate.

Effect of the Type of Stress-Strain Law on the Validity of the Reference Stress Approach in Fracture Mechanics

In fracture mechanics, several J-estimation schemes are based on the reference stress approach. This approach has been developed initially in the frame of the R5 rule for creep and R6 rule for elasto-plastic fracture assessments. Later other methods, based on the reference stress concept, where derived like the Js method introduced in the French RSE-M code en 1997 and the Enhanced Reference Stress (ERS) method in Korea around 2001. However these developments are based on the J2 deformation plasticity theory and well established for a pure power hardening law. Even in this latter case, the reference stress depends on the hardening exponent. Js and ERS attempt to minimize this dependence and propose some corrections for recorded behavior laws which cannot be fitted by a power law. However their validation has been established mainly on cases where the material behavior is governed by a Ramberg-Osgood (R0) law. The question may be raised, as for the bilinear hardening law case, of the existence of a reference stress for non RO laws.

Validation of Plastic Collapse Assessments Using BS 7910:2013 and R6 Procedures

The British Standard, BS 7910 Guide to Methods for Assessing the Acceptability of Flaws in Metallic Structures is currently under revision [1]. Major changes have been undertaken, especially in the fracture assessment routes, and this paper specifically addresses the assessment of proximity to plastic collapse, usually expressed as the parameter Lr via either a reference stress or limit load approach. In the new edition of BS 7910, the reference stress approach has been retained for the assessment of many geometries, mainly for reasons of continuity. However, new limit load solutions (originating in the R6 procedure) are given for use in the assessments of strength mismatched structures or clad plates. In general, a reference stress solution and a limit load solution for the same geometry should deliver the same value of Lr. However, recent comparative studies have shown differences in the assessment of plastic collapse depending on whether the reference stress solutions in BS 7910:2013 or the limit load solutions in R6 are used for the calculation of Lr. In this paper, the extent of the difference in the assessment results with respect to the choice of solutions and boundary conditions are discussed. The results of the assessments in accordance with BS 7910 and R6 are compared with the results of numerical assessments obtained via Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The collapse loads observed in various wide plate tests conducted in the last 20 years are also compared with the collapse loads predicted by BS 910:2013, R6 and FEA. Finally, observations regarding the accuracy of different Codes and FEA are discussed.

Elastic-Plastic J and COD Estimates for Circumferential Through-Wall Cracks Between Elbows and Straight Pipes Under Bending

A method for elastic-plastic fracture mechanics analyses is presented for the circumferential through-wall crack in weldment joining elbows and attached straight pipes, subject to in-plane bending, based on the reference stress approach. Based on small strain finite element limit analyses using elastic-perfectly plastic materials, closed-form limit loads for circumferential through-wall cracks in between elbows and straight pipes under bending are given. Then applicability of the reference stress based method to approximately estimate J and crack opening displacement (COD) is proposed.

Reference Stress Approach for Failure Strength Estimates of a Pipe With Local Wall Thinning

This paper proposes a method based on the reference stress a approach to estimate residual strength of a pipe with local wall thinning. The method is based on the equivalent stress averaged over the minimum ligament in the locally wall thinned region. Inspired by the reference stress method for approximate creep stress analysis, approximate estimation equations for the equivalent stress in the minimum ligament are proposed, which are then calibrated using detailed elastic-plastic 3-D FE analysis. The resulting estimation equations are found to be insensitive not only to pipe and defect geometries but also to material. Comparison of failure loads, predicted according to the proposed method, with published test data for corroded pipes shows excellent agreement.