Approximate fracture methods for pipes — Part II: Applications

Abstract

In the part I paper entitled “Approximate fracture methods for pipes — Part I, Theory” [4], five different J- estimation schemes for through-wall cracked pipes were presented. The (i) GE.EPRI method utilizes a compilation of finite-element solutions. The (ii) Paris/Tada and (iii) LBB.NRC methods utilize an interpolation between the linear elastic and rigid plastic solutions, (iv) the LBB.GE method also uses numerical solutions, and (v) the LBB.ENG uses an equivalent area method to estimate J. All five methods are very simple to use and all five give reasonable predictions of crack growth and failure in pipes. The present paper provides a comparison of some of the methods to full-scale finite-element analyses. In addition, predictions for actual pipe experiments compared to experimental data are also provided.