Application of a Simplified Constant Crack Tip Opening Angle Model to Crack Propagation Analyses in Steel Pipelines

Author(s):  
Chris Bassindale ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
William R. Tyson ◽  
Su Xu

Abstract In this paper, a simplified constant crack tip opening angle (CTOA) model is presented and used to analyze two different pipeline steels. The steels examined in this work were an American Petroleum Institute (API) Standard X65 steel and a Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) steel with the grade designation of STPG370. The commercial finite element (FE) code ABAQUS 2017x was used to generate the models and solve the analyses. The proposed propagation model was first verified through comparing the numerical results with published data. The steady-state fracture velocity data from the simplified model matched the data from literature within a maximum difference of 2% while drastically reducing the computational time required by an order of magnitude. Following the verification of the simplified model, it was then used to analyze recent experimental data. The model was able to match the experimental crack velocity data within a difference of 4%.

Author(s):  
Ph. P. Darcis ◽  
G. Kohn ◽  
A. Bussiba ◽  
J. D. McColskey ◽  
C. N. McCowan ◽  
...  

Crack tip opening angle (CTOA) is becoming one of the more widely accepted properties for characterizing fully plastic fracture. In fact, it has been recognized as a measure of the resistance of a material to fracture, in cases where there is a large degree of stable-tearing crack extension during the fracture process. This type of steady-state fracture resistance takes place when the CTOA in a material reaches a critical value, as typically occurs in low-constraint configurations. Our current research has applied the CTOA concept as an alternative or an addition to the Charpy V-notch and the drop weight tear test (DWTT) fracture energy in pipeline characterization. A test technique for direct measurement of CTOA was developed, using a modified double cantilever beam (MDCB) specimen. A digital camera and image analysis software are used to record the progression of the crack tip and to estimate CTOA using the crack edges adjacent to the crack tip. A steady-state CTOA has been successfully measured on five different strength grades of gas pipeline steel (four low strength grades and one high strength grade: X100). In addition, two-dimensional finite element models (2D FEMs) are used to demonstrate the sequence of the fracture process and the deformation mechanisms involved. The CTOA measurements and models are correlated and agree well.


1981 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Smith

The equivalence of the final stretch and crack tip opening angle criteria, as applied to the Dugdale-Bilby-Cottrell-Swinden type model for Mode I plane strain crack growth, is demonstrated. This equivalence is independent of the plastic zone size, geometrical parameters, and the stress distribution within the fracture process zone, if the yield stress is sufficiently low and the crack growth resistance is sufficiently high. The results therefore provide further support for the viability of crack tip opening angle as a crack growth characterizing parameter.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document