Comparison of the Isochronous Method and a Time-Explicit Model for Creep Analysis

Abstract

The design of components or structures at elevated temperature is complex. The use of rigorous time dependent material models may not be practical for many large scale industrial problems. The use of simplified methods permits the creep analysis of components that would be impractical by rigorous time dependent models. The Isochronous Stress-Strain method is an approach that has been used extensively for the creep evaluation of elevated temperature components. The method has been used for the analysis of problems containing both primary and secondary stresses. The method has also been used to evaluate creep buckling problems. Although the method has been accepted as an alternative to a full time dependent creep analysis, the limitations and accuracy of the method have not been investigated systematically and are not fully understood. This study compares the isochronous stress-strain method with a generalized time-explicit creep model for materials in high temperature applications. Analytical solutions are developed for three basic loading configurations, including uniaxial tension, pure bending, and torsion in either load or displacement controlled conditions. Deformations, stresses, and creep strains are compared between the two different methods.