Numerical crack growth predictions in parent and weld components using a damage based approach

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical simulation technique which can be used to predict numerical creep crack growth (CCG) at elevated temperatures. The results of the numerical predictions are compared to experimental data taken from specimens with weld and parent properties. The experimental results consisted of uniaxial creep data and crack growth data taken from C–Mn steels and P22 welds tested at 360°C and 550°C, respectively. For C–Mn steels, compact tension (CT) specimen and internal pressurised shallow cracked pipe were tested for creep crack growth. Whilst, for P22 welded, HAZ CT specimens were used. The constitutive behaviour for these materials is described by a power law creep model. A damage-based approach combined with a crack tip constraint model based on void growth is used to predict the crack propagation rates in the pipe component using a 2D finite elements (FE) mesh. Elastic–plastic–creep analyses are performed using a damage based node de-bonding criteria to simulate and predict crack extension under plane stress and plane strain conditions. It has been found that CCG the experimental data lies within the plane stress/strain range of 2D-FE model predictions irrespective of material and geometry.

Keywords

Creep crack growth finite element analysis damage C–Mn P22

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