Improved Reliability Analysis Method Based on the Failure Assessment Diagram

With the uncertainties related to operating conditions,in-service non-destructive testing（NDT） measurements and material properties considered in the structural integrity assessment,probabilistic analysis based on the failure assessment diagram（FAD） approach has recently become an important concern.However,the point density revealing the probabilistic distribution characteristics of the assessment points is usually ignored.To obtain more detailed and direct knowledge from the reliability analysis,an improved probabilistic fracture mechanics（PFM） assessment method is proposed.By integrating 2D kernel density estimation（KDE） technology into the traditional probabilistic assessment,the probabilistic density of the randomly distributed assessment points is visualized in the assessment diagram.Moreover,a modified interval sensitivity analysis is implemented and compared with probabilistic sensitivity analysis.The improved reliability analysis method is applied to the assessment of a high pressure pipe containing an axial internal semi-elliptical surface crack.The results indicate that these two methods can give consistent sensitivities of input parameters,but the interval sensitivity analysis is computationally more efficient.Meanwhile,the point density distribution and its contour are plotted in the FAD,thereby better revealing the characteristics of PFM assessment.This study provides a powerful tool for the reliability analysis of critical structures.

TDFAD APPROACH TO HIGH TEMPERATURE DEFECT ASSESSMENT AND ITS ENGINEERING APPLICATION

From the idea of failure of defective structures at high temperature beingcontrolled by two mechanisms: fast fracture due to creep crack growth initiating at the crack tipand creep rupture on the weakened section, a time-dependent failure assessment diagram (TDFAD) isdeveloped on the basis of the time dependent crack tip parameter J integral. According to theproposed TDFAD method, detailed crack initiation and creep crack growth analysis is avoided insafety assessments of high temperature structures by performing simple calculations of stressintensity factor and limit load. To evaluate the creep toughness parameter K_(mat), three differentexpressions are suggested on the basis of experimental load-line displacement, creep crackinitiation and growth parameters as well as the isochronous stress-strain curve. The influence ofservice factors such as temperature and service-time on the proposed TDFAD is discussed by using theproperties of 2.25CrlMo steel and an example is also presented to illustrate the approach.