Application of unified constraint-dependent Master Curve in fracture assessment of cracked pressure vessels. (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Y.; Wang, G.Z.; Xuan, F.Z.; Tu, S.T.
• Is Part Of: International journal of pressure vessels and piping. Volume 199(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Unified constraint parameter -- Master curve -- Reference temperature -- Crack -- Fracture assessment -- Pressure vessel; Pressure vessels -- Periodicals; Pipe -- Periodicals; Récipients sous pression -- Périodiques; Tuyaux -- Périodiques; Pipe; Pressure vessels; Periodicals; 681.76041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpvp.2022.104741
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-0161

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, the application of the unified constraint-dependent Master Curve (UCMC) in fracture assessment based on the newly developed T 0 - A d * correlation equation ( T 0 is the MC reference temperature, and A d * is a new unified constraint parameter) has been investigated for cracked pressure vessels. A large number of three-dimensional (3D) finite element analyses have been conducted to calculate the parameter A d * and the crack driving force parameter K J for various axial semi-elliptical surface cracks. Based on the K J - A d * two-parameter, the locations of crack initiation along the crack fronts were predicted. The fracture prediction results of the UCMC method have been comparatively analyzed with those of the conventional standard MC (SMC) method. It has been shown that for most shallow cracks with lower constraint, the application of the UCMC method can reduce the conservatism of the SMC method. For some deeper and longer cracks with higher constraint, the UCMC method may eliminate slight non-conservative fracture assessment of the SMC method. The UCMC method can incorporate both in-plane and out-of-plane constraints in cracked structures, and it may be possibly applicable to wide ranges of structural geometries, crack sizes, materials, temperatures and loading levels. Highlights: Application of unified constraint-dependent Master Curve (UCMC) method is studied. The crack initiation locations along the crack fronts were predicted based on two-parameter. Application of the UCMC method can reduce conservatism for most shallow cracks. The UCMC method can eliminate slight non-conservative assessment for deeper and longer cracks. The UCMC method may possibly have wide application ranges of geometry, material, temperature and load.