Abstract
The growth of part-through part-circumferential semielliptical surface cracks in nuclear primary piping of finite wall thickness is computed. Crack extension is considered to be controlled by root mean square (RMS)-averaged stress-intensity factors associated with each axis of the semielliptical crack, which allows the consideration of varying aspect ratio with crack depth. Crack extension due to nonuniform through-wall stresses is computed by the use of a recently developed influence function for circumferential cracks in pipes. The crack growth due to uniform and nonuniform stresses is presented by the use of crack trajectories, which pictorially display the change in crack geometry with stress history. These trajectories are presented for crack growth due to heat-up and cool-down and reactor trip transients of a nuclear plant. These crack growth trajectories for uniform stress are presented in a manner that makes it possible to compute crack growth for any stress history.
Published Version
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