Micromechanical modeling of ductile fracture initiation to predict fracture toughness of reactor pressure vessel steels

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    Two micromechanical models of ductile fracture are investigated and have been applied to two reactor pressure vessel steels, 18MND5 and A508 Cl.3: the Beremin model, based on the Rice et Tracey void growth model, and the damage work model that combines the plastic strain work to the work spent in void growth. Due to the local nature of these models, finite element analysis needs to be performed to derive stress and strain history in order to obtain the damage kinetics of the material and geometry under consideration. Tensile tests were performed on various geometries (notched and precracked tensile) and sizes. All specimens are in large scale yielding condition. It is found that while the critical void growth ratio decreases with the triaxiality ratio, the critical damage work is not affected. Geometry, size and orientation effects are also investigated. These effects are well described by these micromechanical models. Similar concepts are applied to sharp notch and crack tip situations. An additional parameter, the so-called characteristic distance, characterizing the process zone size, is introduced. The fracture toughness, derived from the notched bars, is within experimental uncertainties in reasonable agreement with the results obtained for cracked geometries.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationJournal de Physique IV Proceedings, EDP Sciences
    PublisherEDP Sciences
    PagesC6-53 - C6-64
    Number of pages12
    Volume6
    EditionOctobre
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jun 1996
    Event1996 - 1st European Mechanics of Materials Conference on Local Approach to Fracture '86 - 96'
    - Fontaineblau
    Duration: 9 Sep 199611 Sep 1996

    Publication series

    NameJournal de Physique IV
    PublisherEDP Sciences

    Conference

    Conference1996 - 1st European Mechanics of Materials Conference on Local Approach to Fracture '86 - 96'
    Abbreviated titleEUROMECH - MECAMAT'96
    Country/TerritoryFrance
    CityFontaineblau
    Period1996-09-091996-09-11

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