A parametric study of creep crack growth in heterogeneous CT specimens by use of finite element simulations

A parametric study of creep crack growth in CT specimens taken out from weldments is performed by use of finite element simulations. The investigated parameters are different combinations of weldment constituent material creep properties and the starter notch position in the heat affected zone. Plane strain conditions are assumed and the C*integral together with a constraint parameter are used to characterise the creep crack growth rate.The results show that numerical simulations are needed, in addition to experimental results, in order to understand the behaviour of a growing creep crack in a cross-weld CT specimen.