Hartwig Hübel

Basic conditions for material and structural ratcheting

Abstract This paper is intended to provide an overview of different aspects of ratcheting under cyclic loading below the creep range. It distinguishes between material ratcheting and structural ratcheting, each being characterized by several different phenomena which appear in different configurations of materials, states of stress, structural geometries and loadings. The systematic compilation of these phenomena presented in the paper may help to improve understanding between material researches, developers of inelastic methods of analysis, structural analysts and design code committees. Above all, a certain degree of knowledge about the different mechanisms of ratchetting is important for a structural analyst to be able to choose an appropriate analytical method for assessing the ratcheting phenomena involved in a specific design problem.

Simplified Theory of Plastic Zones

For a life prediction of structures subjected to variable loads, frequently encountered in mechanical and civil engineering, the cyclically accumulated deformation and the elastic-plastic strain ranges are required. The Simplified Theory of Plastic Zones (STPZ) is a direct method which provides the estimates of these and all other mechanical quantities in the state of elastic and plastic shakedown. The STPZ is described in detail, with emphasis to the fact that not only scientists but engineers working in practice and advanced students are able to get an idea of the possibilities and limitations of the STPZ. Numerous illustrations and examples are provided to support your understanding.

Determination of post-shakedown quantities of a pipe bend via the Simplified Theory of Plastic Zones compared with load history dependent incremental analysis

The Simplified Theory of Plastic Zones (STPZ) may be used to determine post-shakedown quantities such as strain ranges and accumulated strains. The principles of the method are summarized succinctly and the practical applicability is shown by the example of a pipe bend subjected to internal pressure and cyclic in-plane bending.

Performance Study of the Simplified Theory of Plastic Zones for the Fatigue Check

As elastic-plastic fatigue analyses are still time consuming the simplified elastic-plastic analysis (e.g. ASME Section III, NB 3228.5, the French RCC-M code, paragraphs B 3234.3, B 3234.5 and B3234.6 and the German KTA rule 3201.2, paragraph 7.8.4) is often applied. Besides linearly elastic analyses and factorial plasticity correction (Ke-factors) direct methods are an option. In fact, calculation effort and accuracy of results are growing in the following graded scheme: a) linearly elastic analysis along with Ke correction, b) direct methods for the determination of stabilized elastic-plastic strain ranges and c) incremental elastic-plastic methods for the determination of stabilized elastic-plastic strain ranges.The paper concentrates on option b) by substantiating the practical applicability of the simplified theory of plastic zones STPZ (based on Zarka’s method). Application relevant aspects are particularly addressed. Furthermore, the applicability of the STPZ for arbitrary load time histories in connection with an appropriate cycle counting method is discussed.Note, that the STPZ is applicable both for the determination of (fatigue relevant) elastic-plastic strain ranges and (ratcheting relevant) locally accumulated strains. This paper concentrates on the performance of the method in terms of the determination of elastic-plastic strain ranges and fatigue usage factors. The additional performance in terms of locally accumulated strains and ratcheting will be discussed in a future publication.Copyright