Search

The paper presents the results of the application of the refined calculation guidelines to the analysis of the stress-strain state and fracture resistance of the equipment elements of the NPP primary circuit system with WWER reactor, in particular, the cylindrical part and the zone of the reactor pressure vessel inlet nozzle, coolant collector welded joint in a steam generator, baffle, and reactor internals' shaft under the operating and emergency modes of thermomechanical loading. The calculation methodology is based on the use of the modern models and methods of solution to the nonlinear boundary tasks of non-isothermal thermal viscoplasticity and tasks of fracture mechanics using the refined mixed schemes of the finite element method with increased accuracy. They allow one to obtain reliable solutions to the tasks considering the deformation history of thermomechanical loading, modern concepts of fracture mechanics and approaches to the modeling of brittle-viscous fracture defects, irradiation swelling and creep of metal, as well as as the structural elements, under the conditions of elevated temperature, intensive neutron irradiation and nonstationary modes of thermomechanical loading. The authors obtained and analyzed the calculation results for the cylindrical part and zone of the inlet nozzle of the WWER-1000 reactor pressure vessel, coolant collector welded joint in a steam generator, baffle, and reactor internals' shaft using the proposed guidelines. The results imply the possibilities of the proposed recommendations and make it possible to analyze some general tendencies and features of the application of the refined calculation models to justify the strength and life extension of the NPP structural elements under investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fracture occurs at interface corners due to stress singularity which generates as a result of material discontinuity and geometrical configuration. In elastic stress field near a bimaterial notch tip, eigenvalues extracted from Airy’s stress function approach determine the order of singularity. In this paper, the characteristic equation of elastic stress field near bimaterial notches is investigated. The study is done on singular eigenvalues as well as the first non-singular eigenvalue which has not been well studied before. First, different combination of materials and geometrical configurations for two of the most applicable paths in the Bogy diagram (β = 0, β = α/4) were studied and the results were comprehensively discussed. It was shown that the geometrical and materials configurations near a bimaterial notch tip can significantly affect on the stress singularity near these corners. Finally, the areas between two lines β = 0 and β = α/4 in the Bogy diagram with high stress singularities were determined and discussed for both the first and second singular eigenvalue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the application of the dual boundary element method for the determination of stress intensity factors in plate bending problems. The loadings considered include internal pressure, and also combined bending and tension. Mixed mode stress intensity factors are evaluated by a crack surface displacement extrapolation technique and the J-integral technique. The boundary element results for the case studies considered in the paper have been compared with either analytical or finite element results and in all cases good agreement has been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the basic principles of the most widespread methods for determining typical states of a mode I through crack in specimens and structures of sheet metals that are fractured under conditions close to the plane stress state. The results of experimental investigations are presented which make it possible to judge of the relative advantages and disadvantages of these methods from the standpoint of their possible use in engineering assessments of the integrity and remaining strength of thin-wall structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper provides some results of the investigation of the influence of stress state type on accumulation of dispersed damages in structural carbon steel sheet under repeated static biaxial tensile loading. It is shown that the lowest damage accumulation ability of the metal is observed under biaxial tension with a biaxiality index ranging between 0.25 and 0.3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses the well-known (from available publications) phenomenological strength criteria for anisotropic materials, which are most widely used in application software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses damage accumulation processes that occur during static deformation in steels 45 and 09G2S and in brass L63 in the initial state and upon 'grain annealing.' The authors discuss new experimental evidence on the damage accumulation kinetics during deformation of polycrystalline materials that differ in nature and grain size, including materials in the unloaded state and those under stresses, with small and very small strains (0.05-0.15%). The results obtained have been the necessary physically consistent explanations. Analytical approximations of the correlation between the main mechanical properties of materials (hardness, yield stress, and ultimate strength) and their structure parameters (grain size) are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses the dependence of acoustic emission produced in rolled hafnium GFÉ-1 under tensile deformation on the material's structural state. A correlation has been established between the material structure, the level of mechanical properties and the values of acoustic parameters. Acoustic emission in non-recrystallized hafnium under tensile deformation is recorded only at the stages that precede fracture. Upon recrystallization annealing at temperatures of 1123 and 1373 K acoustic emission occurs at all the stages of tensile deformation. The highest level of acoustic emission activity in hafnium is observed during the transition from elastic to elastic-plastic strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a reactor pressure vessel steel 15Kh2MFA(III) experiments and calculations have been carried out to study the factors that have an influence on the increase of the lower-shelf fracture toughness in the temperature dependence diagrams upon warm prestressing. Stereoscopic fractography and numerical investigation have demonstrated that after the warm prestressing the crack tip remains blunt. This reduces the stress singularity during subsequent loading and raises the material fracture toughness. The paper gives the calculated data on residual stresses and crack-tip opening displacement during warm prestressing and upon relief. The calculated results are shown to agree well with the known analytical relations and experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review the currently available approaches, applicable codes and standards for assessment of defects in trunk pipelines and discuss advantages and disadvantages of the National pipeline regulations. The paper outlines the main principles of the newly introduced normative document that regulates the assessment of strength and remaining life of pipelines containing service defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses the use of small-sized specimens of various types, including those with deep (50%) side grooves, for the purpose of fracture toughness prediction. The experimental data for numerous (more than 500) small-sized specimens prepared from materials of various degrees of embrittlement are compared to the test results for full-sized specimens of C(T) type. The concepts of Master Curve and Unified Curve are applied for the processing of experimental data. To handle the test results for small-sized deep-grooved specimens a calculation procedure has been elaborated, which adjusts the calculation method specified in the ASTM Standard E 1921. We provide recommendations of how to use precracked Charpy type deep-grooved (50%) specimens for prediction of a representative temperature dependence of fracture toughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper gives the research findings which make it possible to construct an algorithm for the residual life assessment within the framework of a tensor approach to describing damage in a material under inelastic deformation. The authors propose explicit finite criterial relationships for the residual life assessment, which extend the known relationships to cover a wider range of loading processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper considers methods of accelerated determination of endurance limits of metals and alloys based on the analysis of regularities in their inelastic deformation, strain and energy criteria of fatigue fracture, and methods for life prediction with the use of those criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper considers interrelation between the regularities in the fatigue fracture and inelastic deformation taking into account the material properties, stress gradient and concentration, specimen size, load cycle asymmetry, complex stress state, temperature, loading frequency and conditions, scatter of the test results. Analysis of the data from the literature and results of original investigations has shown that the characteristics of inelasticity, which define nonlocalized fatigue damage, can be used in studies of general regularities of the high-cycle fatigue fracture. Specific results of such analysis are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model to describe the kinetics of short fatigue crack growth from an obtuse stress raiser (notch) is proposed. The model makes it possible to calculate the kinetic diagram of short fatigue crack growth rate from a stress raiser and to estimate the number of loading cycles from the moment of crack initiation up to the moment when the crack reaches the specified size at a constant range of applied nominal stresses. Apart from the loading parameters and geometrical dimensions of the stress raiser, the input data for calculations are the static strength characteristics (elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, and yield stress, which are determined from short-term tensile tests on standard specimens of the material) and microstructural characteristics (grain size, Taylor factor, and Buergers vector, which are determined from microstructural analysis of the initial material). Calculations according to the proposed model of kinetic curve of crack growth rate and number of loading cycles during its growth for tested 45 grade steel specimens exhibited a good agreement with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coaxing effect in fatigue refers to an increase in the fatigue strength of material imduced by prior cycling at a stress level below the fatigue limit. In this study, the coaxing effect of multi-level stresses in the fatigue process in the automotive drive shaft material 40Cr was investigated by applying three levels of stress amplitudes below the fatigue limit in different sequences prior to conducting the conventional constant amplitude fatigue test with standard round bar specimens. The existence of coaxing effect under multi-level stress with a load sequence effect was observed and confirmed by the results. The longest fatigue life is achieved through three levels of coaxing load with a step increase sequence, while a decrease sequence will result in the shortest fatigue life. The mechanisms of the coaxing effect which increased the fatigue life at the crack initiation and propagation stages were observed, through fracture morphology analysis, as the regulation of micropores, decreasing of pore density and the narrowed striation spacing. This finding is instrumental for extending the service life of mechanical components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fracture and stress-strain state (SSS) of significantly anisotropic composite cylinders have been analytically and numerically investigated under internal explosion. Four possible types of fracture have been determined, including spallation fracture. The features of wave the SSS and strength of thin- and thick-walled shells as well as the dependence of the maximum permissible critical mass of the charge on the cylinder thickness have been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present research is twofold. Firstly, to provide a new set of experimental results regarding tensile brittle fracture in key-hole notches and secondly, to check the suitability of the local strain energy density (SED) criterion in predicting the test results. For this purpose, 21 fracture tests were conducted at room temperature on a new version of the well-known Brazilian disk specimen containing a central dumbbell-shaped slit with two key-ends (Key-BD specimen) made of PMMA. The experimentally obtained fracture loads were theoretically predicted for different notch radii by means of the local SED averaged over a specified control volume which embraces the notch edge. It was shown that the experimental results could be well predicted by means of the SED criterion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber-metal laminates (FMLs) composed of metal lamina and reinforcing fibers exhibit an improved crack growth resistance as compared to conventional aircraft materials. The crack resistance of a hybrid FML composite consisting of LY12M aluminum alloy lamina and prepreg layers of HS2 glass fibers and T700 carbon fibers has been experimentally investigated on tensile specimens at stress ratios R = - 1, 0.1, and 0.5. The crack growth rate data at positive stress ratios demonstrate a significant scatter and a large difference between specimen's back and front surfaces formed by 1-mm thick outer aluminum layers. This violation of the test standard requirements for metal materials in the performed FML tests presents a problem of determining a proper failure criterion for the engineering applications of FMLs. Based on the comparative analysis of FML crack resistance results obtained, some qualitative conclusions are drawn on solving this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ñurrent calculation analysis approaches to the fracture resistance assessment for main equipment elements of the WWER NPP primary circuit are considered. It is noted that the solution of the problems of justifying safe operation, assessment of the integrity and extension of the lifetime of the reactor pressure vessel is essentially dependent on the results of calculations of the kinetics of the stress strain state, a proper consideration of the residual welding stress and strain fields, reliable evaluation of non-linear fracture mechanics parameters. A general methodology is developed for a calculated analysis of the fracture resistance of WWER reactor pressure vessels in the simulation of emergency cooling conditions. The main statements in the elastoplastic calculation of the kinetics of the stress strain state for reactor pressure vessels are formulated with consideration of the residual welding stress and strain fields, and the calculation procedure for determining the fracture parameters of the postulated crack is presented. Using the calculation methods and software product developed, a significant influence of such factors as consideration of the thermomechanical loading history and elastoplastic deformation of the metal in the vicinity of the postulated crack front, different ways of taking into consideration the residual welding stress level, the regularity and density of the finite element mesh in the vicinity of the calculated crack front, the procedure for calculating the elastoplastic fracture parameters in discrete finite element method models on the calculated fracture resistance assessment of WWER-1000 reactor pressure vessels is shown. It is found that the neglect of the loading history and residual stress level after heat treatment results in a non-conservative assessment of the fracture resistance for the collector-to-nozzle welded joint in the PGV-1000 steam generator in the simulation of the operating cycle of loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fatigue crack growth in single edge-notched specimens made of steel 25Kh1M1F has been investigated at a stress ratio of R = 0 and under controlled loading force. The influence of the loading frequency (0.1 and 1.0 Hz) on the crack growth rate has been estimated. The crack resistance of the bimaterial 25Kh1M1F/15Kh13MF as well as the influence of elastic and plastic properties on the nature of the fatigue crack growth have been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strain-measuring null-indicator method for the detection of fatigue cracks in electric locomotive truck frames, which are difficult to reach for visual inspection, was developed and in-service tried. The sensitivity of the method is established to increase after high-frequency mechanical hammering of St. 3sp low-carbon steel butt welds. The method provides detecting the nucleation of fatigue cracks in the subsurface steel layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of applications of composites in space and in low temperature equipment, low temperature mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy have to be assessed. Experimental or analytical investigation on the tensile failure behavior of glass/epoxy laminated composite with/or without stress concentration subjected to thermo-mechanical static loadings at low temperatures has not been done yet. In the present work, a model was developed to perform the progressive failure analysis of quasi isotropic composite plates at low temperatures. The initial failure load is calculated by means of an elastic stress analysis. The load is increased step by step. For each given load, the stresses are evaluated and the appropriate failure criterion is applied to inspect for possible failure. For the failed element, material properties are modified according to the failure mode using a non-zero stiffness degradation factor. Then, the modified Newton-Raphson iteration is carried out until convergence is reached. This analysis is repeated for each load increment until the final failure occurs and the ultimate strength is determined. The present method yields results in a reasonable agreement with the experimental data at room temperature and −60°C. The effect of low temperature on the failure mechanism of the plates was also determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modification of a method for the determination of limiting pressure for gas and oil pipelines with corrosion damages of local type under the action of internal pressure and with allowance for temperature field is considered. The problem is solved numerically in three-dimensional formulation. Particular numerical examples illustrate the general design procedure and show satisfactory agreement with experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

procedure for the determination of stress intensity factors of 3D flat cracks is proposed, which uses integral identities for displacements and strains on the crack surface. New formulations of boundary problems of the mathematical theory of linear fracture mechanics have been obtained, which are used to develop finite element models. The unknown functions are nodal displacements on the crack surface. The data given are compared with analytical solutions and results obtained by other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

method for calculating the fields of parameters of the stress-strain state at the crack tip for mixed modes of loading is developed and implemented taking into account the higher-order terms. The influence of the final crack tip curvature radius on the parameters characterizing the mixed failure modes under plane strain is shown. The nature of influence of the mixed modes of loading and the crack geometry on the behavior of dimensionless angular characteristics of the second term in the expansion of the stresses in the plastic crack tip region is established from the calculation results. The relationships between the mixing, constraint and triaxiality parameters are derived in a full range of mixed deformation modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review the currently available methods that are used to explain the difference in fatigue strength of metals and alloys under conditions of uniform and nonuniform stressed states. We discuss (i) the empirical methods, (ii) the methods allowing for the difference between nominal and effective cyclic stresses, (iii) the methods based on the notions of statistical theories of strength, and (iv) the methods assuming that responsible for fatigue failure are the averaged stresses in the surface layer. The calculated results are verified against experimental findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holding periods of 300 and 3600 s in a trapezoidal load cycle are shown to increase the crack growth rate dozens of times for alloy ÉP962 and several-fold for alloy ÉP742 at a temperature of 973 K. It is demonstrated that in the presence of the first portion on the creep crack growth diagram, whereon the crack growth rate decreases, the crack growth kinetics for a trapezoidal load cycle can be predicted using the hypothesis of the linear summation of fatigue and creep crack growth rates provided that the peculiarities of the first portion of the creep crack growth diagram are taken into account. Empirical approaches are proposed for determining the mean crack velocity in the first portion of the creep crack growth diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regularities of the scatter in the characteristics of fatigue and inelasticity of steels 45 and 1Kh13 have been studied under steady-state, step, and block loading. It is shown that the use of the inelastic strain per cycle as a measure of the fatigue damage accumulation rate makes it possible to take into account the scatter in the number of cycles to fracture and in the fatigue limits and to substantiate the cumulative fatigue damage rule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New methods to formulate fracture mechanics parameters are presented. These include the common format that relates the deformation behavior of a cracked structure or specimen to the deformation behavior of a tensile test and the concise format that suggests a shortened form of common fracture mechanics parameters to replace the usual polynomial formulations. These forms may give an easier way to use the fracture mechanics parameters in analytical calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hold times of 300 and 3600 s under trapezoidal cyclic loading are shown to result in an increase in crack growth rates by many factors of ten for EP962 alloy and several times for EP742 alloy at a temperature 973 K. It has been found that in case the creep crack growth diagram has a first segment where the crack growth rate decreases, the crack growth kinetics under trapezoidal cyclic loading can be predicted by means of the hypothesis of linear summation of fatigue and creep crack growth rates considering special features of the first segment of the creep crack growth diagram. The authors put forward empirical approaches to determining the mean rate on the first segment of the creep crack growth diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Unified Curve method as proposed by the authors earlier and a probabilistic model based on the local approach and physical background of the influence of impurities and carbide size on the local strength of material, a method has been elaborated for predicting a variation of the temperature dependence of fracture toughness with neutron fluence. The results calculated by this method are compared to the available experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the mechanical behavior around small-scale yielding crack tip for both plane strain and plane stress, the asymptotic governing equations and their boundary conditions by considering fracture mechanisms are formulated. A total deformation theory of plasticity with a power-law hardening is used. The analysis of the near-tip fields is carried out for both the maximum tensile and shear stress crack growth direction criteria, as well as for the complete range of mixity parameters and various strain-hardening levels. The new scheme of mixed-mode problem solution is proposed. Realationships between elastic and plastic mixity parameters are given as functions of the crack growth direction criterion and the strain-hardening exponent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A procedure for calculating the lifetime of metals under biharmonic loading is proposed, which is based on the energy-based criterion of fracture and the use of metal cyclic deformation and fatigue characteristics. The data obtained are compared with the known experimental ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the effect of residual stresses on fracture resistance and crack arrest behavior of asymmetric ceramic laminated Si3N4/Si3N4-TiN structures. Using the compliance method, we assessed the technique of R-curve construction for laminar composites. For laminar structures with layers varying by their elastic characteristics we developed an analytical method for calculation of "fracture resistance - crack length" dependence. The method applicability is verified by calculation of stress intensity factors for laminar specimens with an edge crack The calculated results are compared to the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors consider the influence of temperature, load cycle asymmetry, specimen size, plastic prestraining, and material damage in the course of low-cycle loading on the magnitude of fatigue fracture toughness of heat resistant, high-strength chrome-molybdenum and other steels. They analyze the degree of this influence depending on various factors varied in the process of investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]