Elastic-Route Estimates of Strain Range for Notched Components Under Thermal Loading Without Performing Linearization of Stresses

Abstract

This paper describes simplified methods for estimating the strain range produced in notched components under thermal loading for the purpose of fatigue, creep, and creep-fatigue damage assessment. The methods presented are based on the previously proposed stress relaxation locus and the elastic follow-up factor combined with a newly proposed method for evaluating primary-plus-secondary stress limit. The procedures contained in the methods do not need the linearization of stresses. The proposals are validated by performing elastic-plastic finite element analysis of notched components subjected to cyclic thermal loading.