Fracture assessments with elastic follow-up for combined primary and secondary loadings Part 2: Numerical validation

Abstract

This paper presents comparisons of finite element (FE) results with the J estimation equations proposed in Part 1 for treating fracture under combined primary and secondary loadings. The FE analyses are performed for a pipe with a circumferential internal surface crack subjected to axial tension combined with thermal loading. The crack depth and length, the relative magnitude of axial tension and thermal loadings, loading sequence and material properties are systematically varied. Based on the FE results, the applicability of the proposed equations in Part 1 is discussed and new estimation equations obtained by modifying the existing equations are proposed and validated.