INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLE OF RESIDUAL STRESSES IN THE WARM PRESTRESS (WPS) EFFECT. PART II—ANALYSIS

Abstract— Curry's model of the WPS effect has been applied to the results of a previous paper, and is extended to treat warm prestressing in blunt notched test-pieces. The effect of more complex prestress cycles is also predicted by an extrapolation of the model. The effects of the load-cool-fracture, LCF, cycle can be reasonably predicted for both sharply precracked and blunt notched specimens. For the sharply precracked specimens the effects of the load-unload-cool-fracture, LUCF, cycle at — 196°C are consistently overpredicted and this may be due to a decrease in the cleavage fracture stress at — 196°C of the material at the crack tip which has been subjected to repeated plastic straining by the combination of loading cycles. Modifications to the model are suggested which reduce the overproduction but a wide degree of scatter is observed in the experimental observations. Blunt notched specimens show a reasonable correlation between prediction and theory for the tensile LUCF cycle. Problems have been found in predicting the effect of various prestress cycles in different specimens due to the inherent variability in baseline fracture behaviour of the weld metal. It is concluded that the general trend of results is adequately explained by superposition models but that a greater understanding of local flow properties at a crack tip is required to achieve reasonable predictive success for weld metals such as A533BW.     

Effects of void damage induced by warm prestressing (WPS) on cleavage fracture of notched steel specimens

The effects of void damage induced by warm prestressing (WPS) on cleavage fracture of notched steel specimens were studied by experiments and FEM calculations. The results show that the local stress concentration around the voids promotes the cleavage initiation and decreases the notch toughness and cleavage fracture stress. The fibrous cracks ahead of notch tips caused by the ductile tearing in the WPS obviously raise the normal stress in front of their tips and decrease fracture load and notch toughness. When the beneficial effects of WPS on improving apparent fracture toughness for specimens or structures are used, the loads in WPS need to be limited so that no obvious void damage and ductile tearing are produced in front of defects.     

Mechanism of effects of warm prestressing(WPS) on apparent toughness of notched steel specimens: Part I: Experimental

In this investigation, a series of experiments are carried out in blunt notched specimens to explore the various factors controlling the warm prestressing (WPS) effect on apparent toughness of a HSLA steel. A great number of specimens were tested using Cool-Fracture (CF) without WPS, Load-Cool-Fracture (LCF) and Load-Unload-Cool-Fracture (LUCF) cycles. More complex cycles have also been used to produce residual stress distributions and notch deformations different in quantities and signs. All fracture surfaces of the specimens were observed. Some specimens were unloaded after WPS and details of microscopic features in front of notch roots were investigated. Experimental results show that warm prestress cycles raising the residual compressive stress and opening the notch root improve notch toughness at low temperatures. Oppositely, WPS cycles raising the residual tensile stress and closing the notch root deteriorate notch toughness. One distinct effect of WPS involves deactivating inclusions and second phases particles. With increasing the preload of WPS, more and more particles being potential cleavage nuclei are decohered and blunted to cavities. This effect is proposed to be involved in improvement of notch toughness.     

THE WARM PRESTRESSING EFFECT IN STEELS UNDERGOING INTERGRANULAR FRACTURE

Abstract— The warm prestressing (WPS) effect has been studied in three different steels. One of these, a Cr-Ni steel (EN36), was heat treated to cause fracture to occur either intergranularly, by cleavage, or by a mixture of cleavage and intergranular fracture. A plain carbon steel (EN3) was also used for experiments involving cleavage fracture and thermally aged A533B was used for additional experiments involving intergranular fracture. A significant WPS effect was found for each fracture mode. There were slight differences in the magnitude of the effect for different groups of specimens but, except in certain special cases, these were not considered significant. Experiments involving stress relieving treatments following warm prestressing were also carried out. They indicated that the WPS effect was not completely eliminated by stress relieving. Crack blunting during warm prestressing has been proposed to account for this and for certain other aspects of the results.     

虚拟裂缝尖端拉应力大小的确定

针对单边切口的混凝土轴心受拉构件,基于虚拟裂缝模型提出一种计算极限承载力的解析模型,并在此基础上确立了虚拟裂缝尖端拉应力与混凝土轴心抗拉强度之间的关系。结果表明:二者的比值随初始缝高比的增大呈线性增加,但对混凝土强度等级的变化不敏感。其原因是由于所有的混凝土试件都存在初始缺陷,导致截面上存在明显的应力梯度,因而得到的混凝土轴心抗拉强度值是截面应力的平均值,而虚拟裂缝尖端拉应力为截面上的最大应力。很显然,轴心受拉构件的初始缺陷越长,截面的应力梯度越大,虚拟裂缝尖端拉应力与平均应力的比就越大。通常情况下,虚拟裂缝尖端的拉应力大小约为混凝土轴心抗拉强度值的1.22倍,约等于混凝土的抗折强度。     

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE WARM PRESTRESSING (WPS) EFFECT IN A533B WELD METAL

Abstract— The WPS effect has been shown to be beneficial in increasing the lower shelf fracture toughness of A533B weld metal for both the load-unload-cool-fracture (LUCF) and the load-cool-fracture (LCF) cycles. The LCF cycle gives a greater apparent increase in fracture toughness than the LUCF cycle but only a small increment of load in the lower shelf region is needed to propagate failure compared with a much increased fracture load which is required in the LUCF case. Models predicting the increase in apparent fracture toughness by superposition of the stress and strain distributions from each step in the prestress cycle are shown to be non-conservative for failures occurring in the lower shelf brittle regime. There is evidence for the operation of a "microcrack blunting" mechanism, but the extent to which it contributes to the WPS effect is small. Stress-relief heat-treatments after prestressing remove nearly all the beneficial effects of WPS. Residual stresses clearly play an important role in the WPS phenomenon, and the models successfully predict experimentally observed trends. Prestressing "deactivates" failure initiation from the larger inclusions in the weld metal. This however does not affect the intrinsic fracture toughness of the material. Fracture in this weld metal, where initiation sites (inclusions) abound, appears to be a co-operative process, and fracture is controlled by inclusions of the mean (and hence most plentiful) diameter rather than the maximum diameter.     

Study of low‐temperature effect on the fracture locus of a 420‐MPa structural steel with the edge tracing method

Quasi‐static tensile tests with smooth round bar and axisymmetric notched tensile specimens have been performed to study the low‐temperature effect on the fracture locus of a 420‐MPa structural steel. Combined with a digital high‐speed camera and a 2‐plane mirror system, specimen deformation was recorded in 2 orthogonal planes. Pictures taken were then analysed with the edge tracing method to calculate the minimum cross‐section diameter reduction of the necked/notched specimen. Obvious temperature effect was observed on the load‐strain curves for smooth and notched specimens. Both the strength and strain hardening characterized by the strain at maximum load increase with temperature decrease down to ?60°C. Somewhat unexpected, the fracture strains (ductility) of both smooth and notched specimens at temperatures down to ?60°C do not deteriorate, compared with those at room temperature. Combined with numerical analyses, it shows that the effect of low temperatures (down to ?60°C) on fracture locus is insignificant. These findings shed new light on material selection for Arctic operation.     

考虑骨料体积含量影响的混凝土准脆性断裂预测模型及应用

基于对准脆性断裂边界影响模型参数的分析,该文将平均骨料粒径d_ave引入模型中,得到了考虑骨料体积含量及尺寸影响的混凝土准脆性断裂预测模型。模型中的有效裂缝与特征裂纹的比值,明确表征了三分点加载单边切口梁(SENB)试件的尺寸及初始缝长度变化时服从的断裂失效准则;模型中d_ave及分散系数β_ave将影响最大荷载P_max作用下临界微裂纹扩展区的平均虚拟裂纹长度Δa_fic。通过SENB试件在P_max时的受力分析,得到了临界正应力σ_n、有效裂缝长度a_e、拉伸强度f_t及断裂韧度K_IC之间的关系式。通过Amparano的试验结果,当a_fic为0.8~1.4倍d_ave时,采用混凝土准脆性断裂模型能较好预测混凝土拉伸强度及断裂韧度。通过对Δa_fic=1.2d_ave时模型得到的预测曲线与试验结果的对比,证明了模型计算结果的可靠性。考虑骨料体积含量影响的混凝土准脆性断裂模型能基于RILEM规范中三分点加载SENB试验预测混凝土断裂韧度与拉伸强度。     

THE EFFECTS OF SUB-CRITICAL CRACK GROWTH ON THE FRACTURE BEHAVIOUR OF CRACKED FERRITIC STEELS AFTER WARM PRESTRESSING

The effects of sub-critical crack extension on the fracture properties of ferritic steels after they have been subjected to warm prestressing are investigated. The crack growth is assumed to occur at the temperature of the final loading, after the warm prestressing and the subsequent unloading. Predictions of the fracture behaviour are made using continuum mechanics and a fracture criterion based on a modified J-integral. The results of these calculations are consistent with those of a micromechanistic model of cleavage fracture from a sharp crack. Both the theories predict that the beneficial elevation in fracture load produced by warm prestressing is maintained after sub-critical crack growth provided the latter is not greater than the compressive yielded zone formed on unloading.     

Mechanism of effects of warm prestressing (WPS) on apparent toughness of notched steel specimens Part II: Calculations and analyses

Based on the experimental results of Part I of present work, this paper describes results of FEM calculations and analyses in details which identified that the effect of tensile-warm pre-stressing (WPS) on improvement of the apparent toughness of notched specimens results from three factors i.e. the residual compressive stress, macroscopic blunting of the original notch, and prestrain-deactivating cleavage initiation. The effects of three factors are separated and is effective for each at various extents of prestressing specified with a prestress-ratio, P₀/P_gy, defining the prestressing load P₀ as a fraction of general yield load P_gy. For values of prestress-ratio lower than 1.0, the residual compressive stress acts as the main factor. Between 1.0 to 1.5 of prestress-ratio values, in addition to the residual compressive stress the macroscopic blunting plays increasing role. The effect of the prestrain-deactivating cleavage initiation presents at the prestress-ratio P₀/P_gy1.2. In the case of compressive-warm prestressing, the apparent toughness is deteriorated due to the residual tensile stress. The effects of complex cycles of WPS, with various steps of loading and unloading different in signs, are determined mainly by the loading step just before the fracturing step.     

THE INFLUENCE OF PLASTIC PRESTRAINING ON BRITTLE FRACTURE RESISTANCE OF METALLIC MATERIALS WITH CRACKS

Abstract The purpose of the present work was to study the influence of different regimes of overloading of pressure vessel steels in different states which correspond to the steel properties at the beginning of a reactor operation and at different degrees of embrittlement (simulated by heat treatment). The experiments were performed on 25, 50 and 150 mm thick specimens with short and long cracks of various shape in the temperature range from 293 to 623 K corresponding to the service temperature range of those steels. The following factors were investigated contribution of different effects (residual stresses, strain hardening, crack tip blunting) into the enhancement of the brittle fracture resistance of steels after warm prestressing, stability of the positive warm prestressing effect during subsequent exposure of the steels to different service loading conditions; size effect on optimal regimes of thermo-mechanical prestressing and on the brittle fracture resistance characteristics of the steels studied after warm-prestressing. An approach is proposed to predict the increase in the brittle fracture resistance of steels with cracks after warm prestressing.     

Finite element analysis of a center crack specimen warm pre-stressed under different modes of loading

Load bearing capacity of cracked specimens can be improved following pre-loading procedures like warm pre-stressing (WPS). In this paper, the effects of modes I and II pre-loading on fracture load of a central angled crack specimen are studied by finite element analysis. The specimen is reloaded either in mode I or in mode II. To predict the fracture load of cracked specimen after pre-loading, the maximum tensile stress (MTS) and maximum shear stress (MSS) criteria are used. It is shown that mode II fracture load is independent of pre-loading but the mode I fracture load is highly improved after warm pre-stressing. The mode mixity of the specimen is also changed when the pre-loading and reloading modes are not identical. An increase in the fracture load of the specimen following pre-loading may be due to change of failure mode as predicted by finite element analysis in this work.     

Application of bridging-law concepts to short-fibre composites Part 3: Bridging law derivation from experimental crack profiles

This is the third paper in a series of four where notch sensitivity, fracture energy and bridging laws are studied in short-fibre polymer composites. Here, bridging laws are derived from experimental crack-opening profiles in centre-hole notched tensile specimens. The materials studied are three types of commercial glass–mat composites with different reinforcement structures and matrices. The materials have softening bridging laws and the calculated fracture energies from bridging laws are in good agreement with values determined directly by experiment. The calculated maximum local bridging stress is found to be higher than the uniaxial tensile strength. An outline of a failure criterion for notched specimens based on the crack-bridging approach is presented.     

Prediction of fracture toughness for heat-resistant steels considering specimen dimensions. Report 4. Fracture toughness after plastic prestraining of materials with cracks

The paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the influence of warm prestressing (WPS) on fracture toughness characteristics of large-size specimens. The WPS has been found to be an efficient method for enhancing brittle fracture resistance of large-size bodies from the investigated materials and can be recommended for practical realization in nuclear reactors and other critical structures whose brittle fracture is impermissible both in the process of normal operation and in emergency situations. The optimum temperature-loading regime of the WPS is defined by both the properties of a given material and its thickness which governs the intensity of plastic deformation in the process of WPS. Based on the established mechanisms of the WPS effect, a physicomechanical model has been developed for the prediction of fracture toughness for pressure-vessel heat-resistant steels after WPS taking into account the influence of the stress state at the crack tip. The model makes it possible to predict fracture toughness for large-size bodies subjected to WPS with the given temperature and loading regimes from the results of testing small laboratory specimens. The most optimum regimes of the WPS can also be determined using this model and even those for several materials making up a structural component and subjected to the WPS. Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 3, pp. 39–54, May–June, 1997.     

考虑细观组分影响的混凝土宏观力学性能理论预测模型

混凝土宏观力学性能与其内部细观结构构造密切相关。该文建立了一类能够考虑细观组分影响的混凝土宏观力学性能理论预测模型。首先,采用细观力学数值试验法对理论模型中的参数进行了标定;进而,基于该模型对混凝土断裂能和单轴抗拉强度在材料层次的尺寸效应行为进行了分析。结果表明:混凝土断裂能和单轴抗拉强度均随骨料级配（即最大骨料粒径）发生变化,且受到界面特性的影响。当界面过渡区力学性能相对薄弱时,混凝土强度较低,断裂能和单轴抗拉强度随骨料级配增大而呈现减小的趋势;当界面过渡区力学性能较强时,混凝土强度较高,断裂能和单轴抗拉强度随骨料级配增大亦呈现增大的趋势。计算结果与试验结果吻合良好,验证了该文建立的理论预测模型的准确性和合理性。     

纵向拉伸对尼龙帘线-橡胶复合材料横向拉伸力学性能影响的实验研究

采用十字形试件,在双轴拉伸条件下研究了尼龙帘线-橡胶复合材料单层板纵向定载荷对横向力学性能的影响和横向定载荷对纵向力学性能的影响。实验结果表明:纵向拉伸载荷对尼龙帘线-橡胶复合材料的横向拉伸力学性能有很大的影响。随着纵向拉伸载荷的增加,横向应力应变关系发生了很大的变化;横向拉伸强度先上升然后又下降;而其断裂变形和变形能却逐渐减小。横向拉伸载荷对尼龙帘线-橡胶复合材料的纵向拉伸力学性能影响却很小。这可能与材料纵向和横线拉伸性能差异太大有关。     

Energy dissipation capacity of fibre reinforced concrete under biaxial tension–compression load. Part I: Test equipment and work of fracture

The objective of this research was to analyse the differences in the dissipated energy under uniaxial tension and biaxial tension–compression load of fibre reinforced concretes using the Wedge Splitting Test. Under biaxial load the specimens were subjected to compressive stress ratios from 10% to 50% of the concrete compressive strength perpendicular to the direction of the tensile load.Under biaxial tension–compression load the energy dissipation capacity of the specimens decreases compared to the uniaxial tension load case on average 20–30%. It is believed that the decrease is a result of the damage mechanism of the concrete matrix and deterioration of the fibre–matrix and/or aggregate–cement paste interfaces in case the section is additionally loaded with compression stresses. This indicates that dimensioning of concrete elements under biaxial stress states using material parameters obtained from tests conducted on specimens under uniaxial tensile load is unsafe and could potentially lead to a non-conservative design.In the second part of this paper the extent of the fracture process zone under uniaxial tension and biaxial tension–compression load will be examined with the Acoustic Emission technique and the reasons for decrease of the energy dissipation capacity under biaxial load will be further discussed.     

Interaction of welding residual stresses and warm pre-stressing on brittle fracture of a pipe containing an internal semi-elliptical crack

Residual stresses (RS) due to welding process, may change the load bearing capacity of cracked components. These stresses can also affect the benefit of warm pre-stressing (WPS) cycles which are used for improving structure behaviour. RS are obtained from a two-passes welding simulation of a pipe and verified by experiments. A semi-elliptical internal crack at the weld line is considered. Redistribution of RS field after introducing the crack shows a significant tensile RS are remained at the crack tip. Two common WPS cycles, load-cool-fracture (LCF) and load–unload-cool-fracture (LUCF), are applied using the model at room and low temperature subjected to axial loading. Using local approach to fracture shows that welding RS dramatically raise the fracture probability. LCF has more influence on reducing the fracture probability in comparison with LUCF. The interaction of welding RS and WPS cycles still improves the fracture properties, however, welding RS cause to decrease the benefit of WPS. Comparing RS distributions on crack-tip shows that applying WPS cause to release a significant amount of welding RS and therefore, WPS can be very useful for welded structures. The near crack-tip opening stresses at a same fracture load are further studied for all cases.     

岩石-混凝土界面拉伸断裂性能的率相关性研究EI北大核心CSCD

该文弯曲断裂试验获得了不同应变率下界面的抗拉强度、荷载-加载点位移曲线、荷载-裂缝口张开位移曲线、起裂荷载和峰值荷载,通过夹式引伸计法和DIC法获得了临界裂缝扩展长度。并计算了界面断裂能及双K断裂参数,分析了不同应变率下界面断裂过程区演化规律及特征长度的变化。结果表明:随应变率的增大,断裂能和起裂韧度增大,临界裂缝长度和失稳韧度先增加后减小,断裂过程区长度及特征长度随应变率的提高而减小。该文从裂缝发展路径、自由水粘性、惯性效应三方面探讨了岩石-混凝土界面断裂参数的率效应。     

FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN DUCTILE MATERIALS UNDER CYCLIC COMPRESSIVE LOADING

Abstract— Mode I fatigue crack growth has been studied in notched specimens of 7017-T651 aluminium alloy subjected to fully compressive cyclic loads. The specimens were first subjected to a deliberate compressive preload which causes plastic deformation at the notch tip. On unloading, this region developed a residual tensile stress field and on subsequent compressive cyclic loading in laboratory air, a fatigue crack was nucleated at the notch and grew at a diminishing rate until it stopped. The final crack length increased with an increase in the value of the initial compressive preload and with an increase in the negative value of the applied cyclic mean load. To gain a better understanding of crack growth in residual stress fields, the magnitude and extent of residual stress induced from compressive preloads have been analysed. This was achieved when extending the notch by cutting while recording the change in the back face strain. From residual strain models it was found that the fatigue crack growth was confined to a region of tensile cyclic stress within the residual stress field. The effective stress intensity range was investigated at selected mean loads and amplitudes, for correlating purposes, using both the compliance technique and by invoking the crack growth rate behaviour of the alloy. Finally, a brief discussion of the fracture morphology of cracks subjected to cyclic compression is presented.