2012 Volume 6 Issue 8 Pages 871-885
Finite element analysis (FEA) was done for semi-elliptical axial surface cracks in pipes under internal pressure in order to provide J-integral solutions for assessing the structural integrity of cracked pipes of nuclear power plants. Elastic and fully plastic solutions were obtained for wide ranges of geometrical and material conditions. The accuracy of the J-integrals estimated using the obtained solutions was confirmed through additional FEA for non-linear elastic material under various magnitudes of pressure. The obtained solutions were shown to be valid for structural integrity assessments regardless of material and geometrical conditions and the magnitude of pressure. The maximum error in failure pressure derived using the obtained J-integral solutions was 6%.
