Proposal of a New Subsurface-to-Surface Flaw Transformation Rule for Fatigue Crack Growth Analyses

Author(s):  
Valéry Lacroix ◽  
Afaf Bouydo ◽  
Genshichiro Katsumata ◽  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Kunio Hasegawa

When a subsurface flaw is located near the component free surface, the first step consists of characterizing the flaw as surface or subsurface in compliance with subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rules. The re-characterization process from subsurface to surface flaw is addressed in all Fitness-for-Service (FFS) Codes. However, the specific criteria for the rules on transforming subsurface flaws to surface flaws are different among the FFS Codes. This re-characterization concept is essential and important for subsurface flaws in the flaw assessment procedures. It is applied for three stages of the flaw assessment: at service inspection for flaw characterization, at subcritical crack growth calculation, such as fatigue crack growth, and at ductile/brittle fracture assessment. In this frame, fatigue crack growth experiments were recently conducted by the authors and it was highlighted that the subsurface-to-surface transformation is highly sensitive to the aspect ratio a/l of the flaw whereas the proximity factors in the rules are defined by constant values i.e., regardless of the flaw aspect ratios a/l. The authors have therefore proposed a new subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule based on experimental data and equivalent fatigue crack growth rates. Then, the authors demonstrated through numerous Fatigue Crack Growth (FCG) calculations that the current ASME B&PV Code Section XI surface proximity factor should be updated according to the type of component i.e., piping or vessel. The paper summarizes all the steps leading to the improvement of the ASME Code Section XI subsurface-to-surface proximity rule, from the fatigue crack growth experiments to the studies of the suitability of the current flaw-to-surface proximity factor. Furthermore, based on additional fatigue crack growth calculations and more refined investigations, the paper proposes finally a new limit value for the surface proximity factor. As a result, a proposal for modification of the ASME Code Section XI, Appendix C is provided. The paper is used for the technical basis of this proposal.

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunio Hasegawa ◽  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Koichi Saito

If a subsurface flaw is located very near a component surface, the subsurface flaw is categorized as a surface flaw. The boundary of the subsurface and surface flaws is required for flaw evaluation. The subsurface flaw is transformed to a surface flaw in accordance with a flaw-to-surface proximity rule. The recharacterization process from subsurface to surface flaw is adopted in all fitness-for-service (FFS) codes. However, the specific criteria of the recharacterizations are different among the FFS codes. Cyclic tensile experiment was conducted on a carbon steel flat plate with a subsurface flaw at ambient temperature. The objective of the paper is to compare the experiment and calculation of fatigue crack growth behavior for a subsurface flaw and the transformed surface flaw, and to check the validity of the flaw-to-surface proximity rule defined by ASME Code Section XI, JSME S NA1 Code and other codes.


Author(s):  
Kunio Hasegawa ◽  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Katsumasa Miyazaki ◽  
Koichi Saito

If a subsurface flaw is located near a component surface, the subsurface flaw is transformed to a surface flaw in accordance with a flaw-to-surface proximity rule. The re-characterization process from subsurface to surface flaw is adopted in all fitness-for-service (FFS) codes. However, the criteria of the re-characterizations are different among the FFS codes. Cyclic tensile experiment was conducted on a carbon steel flat plate with a subsurface flaw at ambient temperature. The objective of this paper is to compare the experiment and calculation of fatigue crack growth behavior for a subsurface flaw and the transformed surface flaw, and to describe the validity of the flaw-to-surface proximity rule defined by ASME Code Section XI, JSME S NA1 Code and other codes.


Author(s):  
Kunio Hasegawa ◽  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Katsumasa Miyazaki ◽  
Koichi Saito

If a subsurface flaw is located near a component surface, the subsurface flaw is transformed to a surface flaw in accordance with a flaw-to-surface proximity rule. The re-characterization process from subsurface to surface flaw is adopted in all fitness-for-service (FFS) codes. However, the criteria of the re-characterizations are different among the FFS codes. Cyclic tensile experiment was conducted on a carbon steel flat plate with a subsurface flaw at ambient temperature. The objective of this paper is to compare the experiment and calculation of fatigue crack growth behavior for a subsurface flaw and the transformed surface flaw, and to confirm the flaw-to-surface proximity rule defined by ASME Code Section XI and JSME S NA1 Code.


Author(s):  
Valéry Lacroix ◽  
Kunio Hasegawa ◽  
Yinsheng Li

If a subsurface flaw is located near a component surface, the subsurface flaw is transformed to a surface flaw in accordance with a subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule. The re-characterization process from subsurface to surface flaw is adopted in all fitness-for-service (FFS) codes. However, the specific criteria of the re-characterizations are different among the FFS codes. Recently, the authors have proposed a new subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule based on the experiments data and the interaction of stress intensity factors. In this study, extended Finite Element fatigue crack growth calculations were carried out for thick wall component like vessels with subsurface flaws, using the proposed subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule and the proximity rule provided in the current ASME Code Section XI. Different, flaw aspect ratios and ligament distances from subsurface flaws to inner surface of vessel were taken into account. As the results, the current proximity rule and proposed one provide relatively similar fatigue lives, whatever the aspect ratios of the initial subsurface flaws. However, when the thickness of the component decreases this similarity between both proximity rules appears not to be valid anymore.


2015 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valery Lacroix ◽  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Bohumir Strnadel ◽  
Kunio Hasegawa

A subsurface flaw located near a component surface is transformed to a surface flaw in accordance with a flaw-to-surface proximity rule. The recharacterization process from subsurface to surface flaw is adopted in all fitness-for-service (FFS) codes. However, the criteria of the recharacterizations are different among the FFS codes. In addition, the proximity factors in the rules are generally defined by constant values, irrespective of flaw aspect ratios. This paper describes the stress intensity factor interaction between the subsurface flaw and component free surface and proposes a proximity factor from the point of view of fatigue crack growth rates.


2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Genshichiro Katsumata ◽  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Kunio Hasegawa ◽  
Valery Lacroix

If a subsurface flaw is located near a component surface, the subsurface flaw is transformed into a surface flaw in accordance with a subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule. The recharacterization process from subsurface to surface flaw is adopted in all fitness-for-service (FFS) codes. However, the specific criteria of the recharacterizations are different among the FFS codes. Recently, the authors have proposed a new subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule based on experimental data and equivalent fatigue crack growth rate calculations. In this study, fatigue crack growth calculations were carried out for pipes with subsurface flaws, using the proximity rule provided in the current ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Section XI and JSME (The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers) codes and the proposed subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule. Different pipe sizes, flaw aspect ratios, and ligament distances from subsurface flaws to inner surface of pipes were taken into account. The results indicate the current proximity rule gives less conservative fatigue lives, when the aspect ratios of the subsurface flaws are small.


2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunio Hasegawa ◽  
Saburo Usami

Fatigue crack growth thresholds ΔKth define stress intensity factor range below which cracks will not grow. The thresholds ΔKth are useful in industries to determine durability lifetime. Although massive fatigue crack growth experiments for stainless steels in air environment had been reported, the thresholds ΔKth are not codified at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code Section XI, as well as other fitness-for-service (FFS) codes and standards. Based on the investigation of a few FFS codes and review of literature survey of experimental data, the thresholds ΔKth exposed to air environment have been developed for the ASME Code Section XI. A guidance of the thresholds ΔKth for austenitic stainless steels in air at room and high temperatures can be developed as a function of stress ratio R.


Author(s):  
Valéry Lacroix ◽  
Genshichiro Katsumata ◽  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Kunio Hasegawa

If a subsurface flaw is located near a component surface, the subsurface flaw is transformed to a surface flaw in accordance with a subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule. The re-characterization process from subsurface to surface flaw is adopted in all fitness-for-service (FFS) codes in different countries. However, the specific criteria of the recharacterizations are different among the FFS codes. The authors have proposed a new subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule based on experimental data and equivalent fatigue crack growth rates. Recently, the authors have highlighted through numerous fatigue crack growth calculations that, on one hand, the proximity rule provided in the current ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section XI (ASME Code Section XI) can provide non conservative fatigue lives for thin wall components like pipes and, on the other hand, for thick wall components like vessels, the current proximity rule and the proposed one provide relatively similar fatigue lives. It appears therefore that the flaw-to-surface factor should be updated according to the thickness of the component or according to the type of component i.e. pipe or vessel. In this study, fatigue crack growth calculations were carried out on additional flaw configurations in thick wall pipes and thin wall vessels in order define the best limit for the thickness-dependence of the fatigue lives. Finally, a new subsurface to surface proximity rule depending on the thickness of the component is proposed.


Author(s):  
Genshichiro Katsumata ◽  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Kunio Hasegawa ◽  
Valery Lacroix

If a subsurface flaw is located near a component surface, the subsurface flaw is transformed to a surface flaw in accordance with a subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule. The re-characterization process from subsurface to surface flaw is adopted in all fitness-for-service (FFS) codes. However, the specific criteria of the re-characterizations are different among the FFS codes. Recently, the authors have proposed a new subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule based on experimental data and equivalent fatigue crack growth rates. In this study, fatigue crack growth calculations were carried out for pipes with subsurface flaws, using the proposed subsurface-to-surface flaw proximity rule and the current proximity rule provided in the current JSME and ASME Section XI. Different pipe sizes, flaw aspect ratios and ligament distances from subsurface flaws to inner surface of pipes were taken into account. As the results, the current proximity rule gives less conservative fatigue lives, when the aspect ratios of the subsurface flaws are small.


Author(s):  
Kunio Hasegawa ◽  
Yinsheng Li ◽  
Valery Lacroix ◽  
Bohumir Strnadel

A subsurface flaw located near a component surface is transformed to a surface flaw in accordance with a flaw-to-surface proximity rule. The re-characterization process from subsurface to surface flaw is adopted in all fitness-for-service (FFS) codes. However, the criteria of the re-characterizations are different among the FFS codes. In addition, the proximity factors in the rules are defined by constant values, irrespective of flaw aspect ratios. This paper describes the stress intensity factor interaction between the subsurface flaw and component free surface, and proposes a proximity factor from the point of view of fatigue crack growth rates.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document