Fatigue-Strength-Reduction Factors for Welds in Pressure Vessels and Piping

2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl E. Jaske

Fatigue-strength-reduction factors (FSRFs) are used in the design of pressure vessels and piping subjected to cyclic loading. This paper reviews the background and basis of FSRFs that are used in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, focusing on weld joints in Class 1 nuclear pressure vessels and piping. The ASME Code definition of FSRF is presented. Use of the stress concentration factor (SCF) and stress indices are discussed. The types of welds used in ASME Code construction are reviewed. The effects of joint configuration, welding process, cyclic plasticity, dissimilar metal joints, residual stress, post-weld heat treatment, the nondestructive inspection performed, and metallurgical factors are discussed. The current status of weld FSRFs, including their development and application, are presented. Typical fatigue data for weldments are presented and compared with the ASME Code fatigue curves and used to illustrate the development of FSRF values from experimental information. Finally, a generic procedure for determining FSRFs is proposed and future work is recommended. The five objectives of this study were as follows: 1) to clarify the current procedures for determining values of fatigue-strength-reduction factors (FSRFs); 2) to collect relevant published data on weld-joint FSRFs; 3) to interpret existing data on weld-joint FSRFs; 4) to facilitate the development of a future database of FSRFs for weld joints; and 5) to facilitate the development of a standard procedure for determining the values of FSRFs for weld joints. The main focus is on weld joints in Class 1 nuclear pressure vessels and piping. [S0094-9930(00)02703-7]

1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Hechmer ◽  
E. J. Kuhn

Based on the author’s hypothesis that nondestructive examination (NDE) has a major role in predicting the fatigue life of pressure vessels, a project was initiated to develop a defined relationship between NDE and fatigue strength reduction factors (FSRF). Even though a relationship should apply to both base metal and weld metal, the project was limited to weld metal because NDE for base metal is reasonably well established, whereas NDE for weld metal is more variable, depending on application. A matrix of FSRF was developed based on weld type (full penetration, partial penetration, and fillet weld) versus the NDE that is applied. The NDE methods that are included are radiographic testing (RT), ultrasonic testing (UT), magnetic particle testing (MT), dye penetrant testing (PT), and visual testing (VT). The first two methods (RT and UT) are volumetric examinations, and the remaining three are surface examinations. Seven combinations of volumetric and surface examinations were defined; thus, seven levels of FSRF are defined. Following the initial development of the project, a PVRC (Pressure Vessel Research Council) grant was obtained for the purpose of having a broad review. The report (Hechmer, 1998) has been accepted by PVRC. This paper presents the final matrix, the basis for the FSRF, and key definitions for accurate application of the FSRF matrix. A substantial amount of additional information is presented in the PVRC report (Hechmer, 1998).


Author(s):  
Koichi Kashima ◽  
Tomonori Nomura ◽  
Koji Koyama

Following a recognition of the need to establish a FFS (Fitness-for-Service) Code in Japan, JSME (Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers) published its first edition in May 2000, which provided rules on flaw evaluation for Class 1 pressure vessels and piping, referring to the ASME Code Section XI. The second edition of the FFS Code was published in October 2002, to include rules on in-service inspection, which also referred to the ASME Code Section XI incorporating independent Japanese concepts. In addition, individual inspection rules for specific structures, such as shroud and shroud support for BWR plants, were prescribed in consideration of aging degradation by SCC. Furthermore, the third edition, which includes requirements on repair and replacement methods, will be published in 2004. Along with the efforts of the JSME on the preparation of the FFS Code, the Japanese Regulatory Agency has approved and endorsed this Code as the national rule, which has been in effect since October 2003.


1962 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. F. Langer

Methods are described for constructing a fatigue curve based on strain-fatigue data for use in pressure vessel design. When this curve is used, the same fatigue strength-reduction factor should be used for low-cycle as for high-cycle conditions. When evaluating the effects of combined mean and alternating stress, the fatigue strength-reduction factor should be applied to both the mean and the alternating component, but then account must be taken of the reduction in mean stress which can be produced by yielding. The complete fatigue evaluation of a pressure vessel can be a major task for the designer, but it can be omitted, or at least drastically reduced, if certain requirements can be met regarding design details, inspection, and magnitude of transients. Although the emphasis in this paper is on pressure vessel design, the same principles could be applied to any structure made of ductile metal and subjected to limited numbers of load cycles.


Author(s):  
Takuro Terajima ◽  
Takashi Hirano

As a counter measurement of intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) in boiling water reactors, the induction heating stress improvement (IHSI) has been developed as a method to improve the stress factor, especially residual stresses in affected areas of pipe joint welds. In this method, a pipe is heated from the outside by an induction coil and cooled from the inside with water simultaneously. By thermal stresses to produce a temperature differential between the inner and outer pipe surfaces, the residual stress inside the pipe is improved compression. IHSI had been applied to weld joints of austenitic stainless steel pipes (P-8+P-8). However IHSI had not been applied to weld joints of nickel-chromium-iron alloy (P-43) and austenitic stainless steel (P-8). This weld joint (P-43+P-8) is used for instrumentation nozzles in nuclear power plants’ reactor pressure vessels. Therefore for the purpose of applying IHSI to this one, we studied the following. i) Investigation of IHSI conditions (Essential Variables); ii) Residual stresses after IHSI; iii) Mechanical properties after IHSI. This paper explains that IHSI is sufficiently effective in improvement of the residual stresses for this weld joint (P-43+P-8), and that IHSI does not cause negative effects by results of mechanical properties, and IHSI is verified concerning applying it to this kind of weld joint.


2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Becht

The 2004 edition of ASME B31.3, Process Piping Code, includes strength-reduction factors that apply to welds operating in the creep regime for the material. These factors apply to allowable stresses for sustained loads, such as weight and pressure. This paper describes the background for the rules.


Author(s):  
Koichi Kashima ◽  
Tomonori Nomura ◽  
Koji Koyama

JSME (Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers) published the first edition of a FFS (Fitness-for-Service) Code for nuclear power plants in May 2000, which provided rules on flaw evaluation for Class 1 pressure vessels and piping, referring to the ASME Code Section XI. The second edition of the FFS Code was published in October 2002, to include rules on in-service inspection. Individual inspection rules were prescribed for specific structures, such as the Core Shroud and Shroud Support for BWR plants, in consideration of aging degradation by Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC). Furthermore, JSME established the third edition of the FFS Code in December 2004, which was published in April 2005, and it included requirements on repair and replacement methods and extended the scope of specific inspection rules for structures other than the BWR Core Shroud and Shroud Support. Along with the efforts of the JSME on the development of the FFS Code, Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, the Japanese regulatory agency approved and endorsed the 2000 and 2002 editions of the FFS Code as the national rule, which has been in effect since October 2003. The endorsement for the 2004 edition of the FFS Code is now in the review process.


Author(s):  
Kunio Hasegawa ◽  
Gery M. Wilkowski ◽  
Lee F. Goyette ◽  
Douglas A. Scarth

As the worldwide fleet of nuclear power plants ages, the need to address wall thinning in pressure boundary materials becomes more acute. The 2001 ASME Code Case N-597-1, “Requirements for Analytical Evaluation of Pipe Wall Thinning,” provides procedures and criteria for the evaluation of wall thinning that are based on Construction Code design concepts. These procedures and criteria have proven useful for Code Class 2 and 3 piping; but, they provide relatively little flexibility for Class 1 applications. Recent full-scale experiments conducted in Japan and Korea on thinned piping have supported the development of a more contemporary failure strength evaluation methodology applicable to Class 1 piping. The ASME B&PV Code Section XI Working Group on Pipe Flaw Evaluation has undertaken the codification of new Class 1 evaluation methodology, together with the existing Code Case N-597-1 rules for Class 2 and 3 piping, as a non-mandatory Appendix to Section XI. This paper describes the current status of the development of the proposed new Class 1 piping acceptance criteria, along with a brief review of the current Code Case N-597-1 evaluation procedure in general.


Author(s):  
Charles Becht

The 2004 edition of ASME B31.3, Process Piping, includes strength reduction factors that apply to welds operating in the creep regime for the material. These factors apply to allowable stresses for sustained loads such as weight and pressure. This paper describes the background for the rules.


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