Finite Element Ductile Fracture Simulation of Charpy and Drop Weight Tear Tests for API X52

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic procedure for performing finite element (FE) impact ductile fracture simulation of Charpy (CVN) and Drop Weight Tear Tests (DWTT) with validation using test data of API X52. For deformation and fracture models, the Johnson-Cook (J-C) model is used, of which seven parameters are determined by analyzing (1) round bar tensile test data at three different temperatures (two parameters), (2) tensile test and fracture toughness test at room temperature (three parameters) and (3) instrumented Charpy test (load–displacement) data at room temperature (two parameters). FE impact fracture simulation results with the determined parameters show good agreement with instrumented CVN test data at three different temperatures (0 °C, −30 °C and −60 °C) and DWTT data at temperatures of RT and −30 °C. For DWTT simulation, an analysis of the pre-strain due to flattening is included. Additionally, sensitivity analyses for the effect of adiabatic heating and strain rate on simulation results show that, although both phenomena should be considered in simulation, the strain rate effect is more significant than the adiabatic heating effect.