Engineering Significance of Statistical and Temperature-Induced Fracture Mechanics Toughness Variations on Fracture-Safe Assurance.
Abstract
An appraisal is made of linear elastic fracture mechanics(LEFM) as a method for fracture-safe assurance of carbon and low-alloy steels. The theoretical advantage of an exact flaw size-stress level relationship offered by LEFM is contrasted with the limitations posed in actual application. These limitations relate to statistical variations K(Ic) and K(Id) data. The variations considered here are (a) data scatter at a given temperature, and (b)toughness variations between different heats of a given alloy. In an engineering context, LEFM is considered applicable only in the temperature region representing the initial development of the brittle-ductile transition that characterizes low-alloy steels. In this region statistical variations in the data can result in critical flaw sizes that are significantly smaller than the values calculated on the basis of limited experimental data. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 02, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0734665
Entities
People
- Frank J. Loss
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory