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.

ASSESSMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF THE PHASE DIAGRAMS AND THERMODYNAMIC DATA OF SOME BINARY SYSTEMS CONTAINING PRASEODYMIUM CHLORIDES

In this paper a critical assessment and optimization of the phase diagrams and thermodynamic properties of the PrCl_3-MCl(M=Li,Na)and PrCl_3-MCl_2(M=Mg,Ca,Sr,Ba) binary systems have been per- formed.The assessed and optimized binary phase diagrams and thermodynamic data with self consistency are a better basis for constructing multicomponent phase diagrams.

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.

Defect assessment of welded specimen considering weld induced residual stresses using SINTAP procedure and FEA

The defect assessment in butt-welded joint of ASTM A36 steel plates and 7075-T7351 aluminum alloy plates containing transverse through thickness crack was analyzed using SINTAP procedure and FEA incorporating weld induced residual stresses. Weld induced longitudinal residual stress profile can be obtained through SINTAP procedure, FEA or experimental analysis. This residual stress profile can be fitted with the trapezoidal residual stress profile available in SINTAP. For three different cases, crack length and residual stress intensity factor （SIF） are calculated and its comparison with the results obtained through FEA is plotted with respect to crack length. The stress intensity factor for mechanical loading is also plotted in the same graph. Using this graphical plot, the total SIF, including residual stress and mechanical loading, can be calculated for any particular crack size. The total SIF can be compared with the fracture toughness of the material for damage tolerance analysis. Also a failure assessment diagram is drawn for welded 7075-T7351 aluminum alloy plates with different crack sizes for as-welded （only residual stress） and mechanical loading along with the existing weld induced residual stresses to show the safety level for a particular crack size and mechanical loading.

Application of Charpy Impact Absorbed Energy to the Safety Assessment Based on SINTAP

The European Structural Integrity Assessment Procedure（SINTAP） was applied to the assessment of welded joints of the API 5L X65 pipeline steel with an assumed embedded flaw and surface flaw at the weld toe. At default level（ level 0）, the assessment point was established by esti- mating fracture toughness value K1c conservatively from Charpy energy test data. At the same time, the analysis level 1 （basic level）was applied based on the fracture toughness CTOD. Then the two assessment levels were compared. The assessment results show that all assessment points are located within the failure lines of analysis levels 0 and 1. So the welded joint of the pipeline is safe. It can be concluded that the assessment based on Charpy absorbed energy is practicable when other fracture toughness data are not available, or cannot be easily obtained. The results are conservative.

APPLICATION OF SINTAP TO THE SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF X65 PIPELINE STEEL

The recently developed European flaw assessment procedure, structural integrity assessment procedure（SiNTAP） is applied to assessment for welded joints of the API 5L X65 pipeline steel with an assumed embedded flaw and surface flaw at the weld toe. As one of the basic input data, fracture toughness crack tip opening displacement （CTOD） tests are conducted at 0℃ and performed according to the requirements of the standard of BS7448. For the heat affected zone （HAZ） specimens, the microstructure observation is performed to insure that the tip of the crack is located in the coarse grain zone. The result explains the dispersity of the test values. In structural integrity assessment procedure-fracture assessment diagram（SINTAP FAD） method, the failure curves of welded joints at level 1 and 3 are derived from the tensile test results. The results of the assessment show that all assessment points are located within the failure lines of analysis level 1 and 3. So the welded joint of the pipeline is safe. This study laid the foundation of application of SINTAP to pipeline structure assessment.

Fracture strength evaluation of titanium alloys using modified average stress criterion

Structural integrity procedures were used to demonstrate the fitness for the purpose of engineering components transmitting loads. The prediction of the fracture strength of titanium alloys containing sharp notches through the damage model depends on the un-notched strength and the critical length of the damage zone ahead of the notch. In general, the critical length of the damage zone depends on the material, specimen, and size of the sharp notch. Modifications were made in one of the stress fracture criteria known as the average stress criterion for accurate prediction of notched tensile strength of titanium alloy specimen containing sharp notches. To examine the adequacy of these modifications, fracture data of center-cracked titanium alloys with various thicknesses are considered. The notched （fracture） strength estimates are found to be close to the test results. The modified average stress criterion is very simple to predict the notched tensile strength.

Fracture strength of centre surface cracked tensile specimens made of 2219-T87 Al alloy welding

Fracture data of both parent metal and weldment metals from surface cracked tensile plates made of 2219-T87 Al alloy at cryogenic temperatures were correlated using a modified inherent flaw model. Fracture parameters to generate the failure assessment diagram were determined for the material. Fracture analysis was carried out considering the ultimate tensile strength value and the fracture data of aluminium base metal and weldment metal generated from center–surface cracked tensile specimens having different thicknesses. The failure assessment diagram of a material generated from tensile fracture plate configuration can be applied to failure pressure estimation of any cracked component, made of the same material.