Constraint-based failure assessment diagrams

Abstract

Constraint-dependent toughness has been addressed by characterizing elastic-plastic crack tip fields and the associated toughness in terms of two parameters:J, and a parameter that indexes the level of constraint (T/Q). In the past, failure assessment diagrams have been developed on the basis of a single-parameter characterization of toughness. The present work modifies these diagrams to incorporate constraint effects and indicates the loadings where advantage can be taken of constraint enhanced toughness.