engleski

Numerical Analysis of Surface Cracks in Steam Generator Tubes

Three-dimensional non-linear finite element analyses have been carried out to determine the plastic limit loads for external axial semi-elliptical surface cracks in VVER steam generator tubes under internal pressure. Plastic limit pressure solutions as functions of the crack depth and length have been developed on the basis of finite element limit load analyses employing elastic-perfectly plastic material behaviour. Using these solutions, a new analytical approximation of the plastic limit pressure has been derived for a wide range of cracks. Finally, comparisons between experimental and finite element data are made. The proposed analytical approximation of limit pressure provides very useful tools for the assessing of pressurized tube integrity.

finite element method; tubes; surface cracks; fracture analysis; plastic limit analysis; stress intensity factor; J-integral; plastic limit pressure

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