FRACTURE MECHANICS AND RESIDUAL FATIGUE LIFE ANALYSIS FOR COMPLEX STRESS FIELDS

This report reviews the development and application of an influence function method for calculating stress intensity factors and residual fatigue life for two- and three-dimensional structures with complex stress fields and geometries. Through elastic superposition, the method properly accounts for redistribution of stress as the crack grows through the structure. The analytical methods used and the computer programs necessary for computation and application of load independent influence functions are presented. A new exact solution is obtained for the buried elliptical crack, under an arbitrary Mode I stress field, for stress intensity factors at four positions around the crack front. The IF method is then applied to two fracture mechanics problems with complex stress fields and geometries. These problems are of current interest to the electric power generating industry and include (1) the fatigue analysis of a crack in a pipe weld under nominal and residual stresses and (2) fatigue analysis of a reactor pressure vessel nozzle corner crack under a complex bivariate stress field.

• Corporate Authors:

  Failure Analysis Associates

  750 Welch Road
  Palo Alto, CA  United States  94304

  Electric Power Research Institute

  P.O. Box 1041, 3412 Hillview Avenue
  Palo Alto, CA  United States  94303
• Authors:
  • Besuner, P M
• Publication Date: 1975-7

Media Info

• Pagination: 88 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer programs; Cracking; Fatigue cracking; Fatigue strength; Fracture mechanics; Fracture properties; Joints; Pipe; Piping systems; Pressure vessels; Structural analysis; Welds
• Uncontrolled Terms: Crack propagation; Fatigue analysis; Pipe joints; Welded joints
• Old TRIS Terms: Power reactors nuclear
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00094316
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FAA-75-4-10 Tech. Rpt., EPRI-217-1-TR-2
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1976 12:00AM