Fatigue assessment by fracture mechanics
The risk of weld flaws extending by fatigue crack growth under cyclic loading can be assessed using fracture mechanics methods. TWI was instrumental in developing the procedures for welded joints, now encapsulated in BS 7910 and widely used in software package 'CRACKWISE ®'
- Estimation of safe operating life from known flaw size
- Definition of required service inspection periods
- Estimation of initial flaw size to be found by NDT
- Fatigue crack growth rate measurement in parent material, weld metal or HAZ
- Effect of environment on fatigue crack growth rates, e.g. seawater with cathodic protection and sour service conditions
- Fatigue threshold determination
To find out more about how TWI could benefit your company, please contact us at str@twi.co.uk
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