Abstract
The application of the leak-before-break (LBB) concept to design and assess piping systems for nuclear power plants requires fracture resistance curves (J-R curves) of cracked full scale pipes. However, it is expensive and difficult to perform full scale pipe tests. Laboratory test specimens with smaller geometry size were used to obtain the J-R curves for full scale pipes, but as both the specimen geometry and loading configuration have a strong effect on J-R curves, it is difficult to predict the J-R curves of full scale pipes accurately from laboratory test specimens. In this study, based on the bending modified Q (Qm) factor, and the J-R curves of compact tension (CT) specimens and curved wide plate (CWP) specimens, constraint corrected J-R curves of the stainless steel SA-312 TP304L were obtained, which were used to predict the J-R curves of full scale pipes. The predictions show good agreement with full scale pipe test results within the specific crack growth range.
Published Version
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