Papers by Keyword: Crack Tip Constraint

Abstract: The contribution is focused on characterization of methods enabling to apply small/subsized specimens for fracture resistance characterization. The applied methods are divided into transition region and upper shelf region. The approaches used in the upper shelf region represent at the same time methods applicable for ductile materials without transition. Relating to subsized samples two basic approaches are applicable: (i) miniaturized samples based on common standard ones and (ii) specific specimens/methods, e.g. small punch test etc. The results described in the paper belong to the first group. For interpretation of data generated under low constraint conditions toughness scaling models and master curve approached are commented. In ductile region, either the sample used generate valid toughness characteristics, or, if not, there is no way how to correct measured data except damage quantification through micromechanical models.

Abstract: This work presents an investigation of the ductile tearing properties for a pipe with internal and external circumferential cracks using 2D plane strain and axisymmetric models. Crack growth resistance curves were computed using the complete Gurson model. The pipes with various crack depths and internal pressures were analyzed. The results were compared with those of corresponding SENT and SENB specimens. It clearly indicated a significant effect of constraint on the resistance curves for internal and external cracked pipes. A minor effect of hoop stress induced by internal pressure on the CTOD-resistance curves is expected for deep-cracked pipes. The SENT specimen is a better representation of circumferentially flawed pipes and an alternative to the conventional standard SENB specimen for the fracture mechanics testing in engineering critical assessment of high-strength pipeline steels.

Abstract: A multi-parameter fracture mechanics concept based on the Williams power series is applied on novel cracked specimen geometries utilizing combined boundary conditions of the wedge splitting and the three-point bending test. Crack tip stress fields for various configurations (causing different constraint conditions at the crack tip and thus also different fracture process zone extents) are numerically investigated and subsequently analytically reconstructed using developed procedure. An importance of using higher order terms of the Williams series is demonstrated.

Abstract: The master curve has evolved into a mature technology for characterizing the fracture toughness transition of ferritic steels. However, it is well known that the master curve reference temperature (To) values estimated from small laboratory specimen may be biased low due to loss of crack-tip constraint. To quantify such variations of To resulting from differences of crack-tip constraint of testing specimen, two-parameter fracture mechanics approaches are employed in the present study. In this context, fracture toughness test and 3-dimensional finite element (FE) analysis for several standard and nonstandard test specimens are performed to quantify relationship between variations of To and constraint parameters and to find best constraint parameter representing effect of crack-tip constraint on To values evidently. Based on testing and present FE results, To and constraint parameter loci are constructed and engineering To correlation models considering crack-tip constraint are suggested

Abstract: Based on detailed two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) finite element (FE)analyses, this paper attempts to quantify in-plane and out-of-plane constraint effects on elastic-plastic J and cracked tip stresses for biaxially loaded plate with a through-thickness crack and semi-elliptical surface crack. It is found that the reference stress based approach for uniaxial loading can be applied to estimate J under biaxial loading, provided that the limit load specific to biaxial loading is used, implying that quantification of the biaxiality effect on the limit load is important. Investigation on the effect of biaxiality on the limit load suggests that for relatively thin plates with small cracks, in particular with semi-elliptical surface cracks, the effect of biaxiality on the limit load can be neglected, and thus elastic-plastic J for a biaxially loaded plate could be estimated, assuming that such plate is subject to uniaxial load. Regarding the effect of biaxiality on crack tip stress triaxiality, it is found that such effect is more pronounced for a thicker plate. For plates with semi-elliptical surface cracks, the crack aspect ratio is found to be more important than the relative crack depth, and the effect of biaxiality on crack tip stress triaxiality is found to be more pronounced near the surface points along the crack front.