Analysis of the elastic-plastic behavior of pressurized internal cracks in welded joints of low carbon steel pipes

Abstract

It was analyzed the elastic-plastic behavior of areas with pressurized planar internal cracks extending from the pattern metal region in the heat affected zone to the welding metal in welding joints of low carbon pipes subject to internal pressure. Using the ANSYS 8.0[TM] software, three-dimensional simulation of geometrical models of pipes containing the internal pressurized cracks was performed. The finite element method with non linear strain conditions was employed, considering the kinematic hardening rule and the real material properties for every location. The fracture paths and expressions to calculate the pressure in the crack and in the pipe that lead to fracture of the cracked area were obtained.

Keywords

• elastic-plastic behavior
• coplanar cracks
• welding joints
• failure pressure