Martin Ševčík

Fatigue Crack Propagation Rate in EUROFER 97 Estimated Using Small Specimens

The proposed paper describes fatigue damage evolution in Eurofer 97 reduced activation ferritic-martensitic steel. The short crack growth study was performed on small cylindrical specimens using an MTS 880 servohydraulic machine at constant strain amplitude. Based on the fatigue crack growth data obtained and corresponding 3D finite element analysis Paris law region of the fatigue curve were estimated. The results obtained were compared with standard determination of the fatigue crack growth rate according to ASTM using CT specimens. The presented results can help to transfer experimental data measured on small specimens to large structures and vice versa.

Numerical lifetime prediction of polymer pipes taking into account residual stress

In this paper a methodology for assessment of residual stress effects on crack behaviour in the polymer pipe is developed. For simplicitys sake, a linear distribution of residual stresses across the pipe wall is assumed. Linear elastic fracture mechanics is used for the fracture mechanics analysis of the cracked pipe. An approximate relation for the stress intensity factor estimation for a crack in a polymer pipe, with residual stress taken into account is suggested and discussed. The methodology presented can be helpful for a rapid lifetime estimation of polyolefin pipelines.

Influence of Initial Inclined Surface Crack on Estimated Residual Fatigue Lifetime of Railway Axle

Railway axles are subjected to cyclic loading which can lead to fatigue failure. For safe operation of railway axles a damage tolerance approach taking into account a possible defect on railway axle surface is often required. The contribution deals with an estimation of residual fatigue lifetime of railway axle with initial inclined surface crack. 3D numerical model of inclined semi-elliptical surface crack in railway axle was developed and its curved propagation through the axle was simulated by finite element method. Presence of press-fitted wheel in the vicinity of initial crack was taken into account. A typical loading spectrum of railway axle was considered and residual fatigue lifetime was estimated by NASGRO approach. Material properties of typical axle steel EA4T were considered in numerical calculations and lifetime estimation.

Pressure Pipe Damage: Numerical Estimation of Point Load Effect II

It has been shown that the service lifetime of buried pipes can be reduced especially in relation to stress concentration caused by external point loads. If the pipe is loaded locally the stress is concentrated there and a crack can initiate at this position or the existing crack can be affected by corresponding stress redistribution. In the paper, the effect of a hard indenter, material properties, and the hoop stress level on the stress intensity factor of the axial inner crack are evaluated. A simple relation for estimation of the stress intensity factor value without FEM simulations is proposed.

The Effect of Polymer Pipe Weld Geometry on Creep Lifetime

In the case of large diameter polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) pipes the most usual joint is the butt weld. This paper focuses on the influence of a weld bead on the service life of welded pipes from a fracture mechanics perspective. To this aim the stress concentrator created by the connection between the weld bead and the pipe’s free surface is modelled as a notch. Global parameters defining properties of stress and strain field in the notch region are calculated for materials with a prevailing Norton-type creep. It is demonstrated that in the case of creep loading conditions and ductile failure mode the existence of such stress concentrators has no negative influence on the lifetime of pipes.

Particulate Composite Damage: Numerical Estimation of Micro-Crack Paths

The composites are widely used due to their advanced mechanical properties. Particulate composites with polymer matrix were studied with regard to micro-crack propagation in the matrix. A three phase numerical model was created. Linear elastic material properties of particle and matrix were taken from experiment. Using numerical simulations (based on the finite element method) the influence of interphase properties on micro-crack propagation was studied. The results of this paper can contribute to a better understanding of the micro-crack propagation in the particulate composites with respect to the interphase.

Point Load Effect Determination for Different Pressure Pipe SDR Series

In the paper the polymer pipes loaded by internal pressure with additional point load on the external surface are studied using numerical methods. It is shown that the additional external loading can significantly influence residual lifetime of the pressured pipe. In this study the effect of the pipe geometry is considered. The shape of the propagating crack is estimated based on a special algorithm and the stress intensity factor is evaluated by direct method. The relation between crack size and a geometric function YasYas for specific material and geometrical properties is found. The results of this paper should contribute to better understanding of the real pipe behavior and to prevent unexpected failure of the pressured pipe system due to non-homogenous distribution of the soil load.

The Effect of Soil Load on Fracture Behaviour of Three-Layer Polymer Pipe for Non-Pressurised Applications

Fracture behaviour of a three-layer polymer pipe subjected to nonhomogenous distribution of external pressure induced by soil embedding is studied in this paper. Both long term and additional short term loading is considered. Such loading induces tensile stresses in the inner pipe wall which can lead to crack initiation and further slow crack propagation. The material interface between a protective layer and the base pipe can contribute to crack deceleration and can prolong the residual lifetime of the pipe. The paper presents three-dimensional numerical analysis of a commercial three-layer pipe containing an internal semi-elliptical crack. The effect of soil load on the fracture behaviour of the cracked pipe is quantified and discussed.

The Effect of Specimen Size on the Determination of Residual Stress in Polymer Pipe Wall

As a result of the production process, there are axial and tangential residual stresses present in pressure pipes made of polymer materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The residual stress magnitude and distribution have a significant influence on the pipe lifetime. In this contribution the results from experiments focused on determining the tangential residual stress distribution in the walls of polypropylene pipes of different dimensions are compared. The experimental method used involves measuring the deformation of ring shaped specimens that were slit in the axial direction. Measured deformation of the ring specimen is a result of the tangential and axial stress superposition. However, the effect of the axial residual stress depends on the specimen axial dimension and tangential residual stress estimated basing on experimental data should be corrected according to axial dimension of the specimen used. The correction suggested in this article is determined based on three-dimensional FEM simulations of the experiment.

Description of Small Fatigue Crack Propagation in ODS Steel

The oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels are widely studied as possible candidate material for fission and fusion technology. Due to application of the ODS materials, mainly low cycle fatigue is important. Therefore, small crack initiation and propagation for rather high stress amplitude are in focus. The main aim of the presented work is description of the small fatigue crack propagation for ODS-EUROFER steel. Due to limited quantity of ODS steel special miniaturized cylindrical specimens for fatigue testing were designed. Crack propagation law based on plastic part of J-integral is presented and applied for mentioned material. The resulting fatigue crack propagation rates for ODS-EUROFER steel and EUROFER 97 are compared and discussed.