On the Constraint-Based Failure Assessment of Surface Cracked Plates under Biaxial Loading

Abstract

Abstract Surface cracked plates under biaxial loading represent an excellent model of cracked welded structures experiencing complex loadings. For example, girth and seam welds in pressure vessels are subject to biaxial stress fields. In this paper, the constraint-based failure assessment of surface cracked plates under biaxial tension loading is presented. As a comparison, the assessment of surface cracked plates under uniaxial tension loading is also presented. The elastic T-stress is used as the constraint parameter. The calculation of the stress intensity factors, T-stresses and limit loads for surface cracks under biaxial/uniaxial loadings are discussed. Failure assessments for typical points along the crack front for surface cracks are conducted. The failure assessment results are compared with available experimental observations.