Finite element analyses of crack extensions in curved compact tension specimens of irradiated Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube materials by nodal release method and cohesive zone modeling approach

Abstract

Crack extensions in thin CCT specimens of irradiated and hydrided irradiated Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube materials are simulated using the nodal release method and cohesive zone modeling (CZM) approach. The load vs displacement curves from the 3-D FE analyses with consideration of plastic orthotropy using the nodal release method match with the experimental data. The changing separation work rates of the 3-D FE analyses using the nodal release method and the experimental J-R curves are adopted as references for the changing cohesive energies in 2-D plane strain and plane stress FE analyses with the CZM approach. The simulation results with the CZM approach match well with the experimental data.