Papers by Author: Andrew H. Sherry

Abstract: This paper provides an overview of four key challenges for structural integrity assessment methods: surface technology and incubation / initiation of defects, microstructural effects on weld performance, realistic loading and defect morphologies and thermal / irradiation effects on materials and structures. These challenges will be met by the application of emerging experimental and numerical methods which will facilitate the development of a mechanistic understanding of these four challenges alongside mechanistically-based models to enable the reliable prediction of component performance outside the available database of materials behaviour.

Abstract: This article presents the first part of a study on the interaction between residual stresses and crack driving force. Blunt notched CT specimens were pre-strained to introduce residual stresses at the notch, where a crack is subsequently introduced. FE modelling is used to model the specimen preload and pre-cracking. Modelling predictions are validated by two different methods. The total predicted surface residual strains are compared to image correlation measurements. The predicted residual strains were measured using neutron diffraction, both before and after fatigue cracking. The residual strain profiles show good agreement with the 3D FE model in the far field but the peak strains measured near the notch are smaller those predicted. This is a result of the low spatial resolution of the technique.