Three-Dimensional Surface Crack Growth of Maraging Steel Spherical Pressure Shell

Abstract

This study focused on the three-dimensional surface crack growth of a spherical pressure shell. Eight maraging steel 18Ni (250) samples were fabricated and tested, and the fatigue crack growth rate curves were obtained. Considering the influence of plastic closure effect and sample thickness on crack growth, the fitting formula of fatigue crack growth only related to materials was obtained. Based on the three-dimensional crack closure theory and the strip yield model, a three-dimensional surface crack growth model of spherical pressure shell was established. By using a self-written program and FRANC3D, the three-dimensional surface crack growth simulations of the spherical shell were completed. The influence of the initial shape ratio and initial depth of the crack on the crack growth and the fatigue life of the spherical shell was analyzed.

Keywords

• spherical pressure shell
• maraging steel
• three-dimensional crack
• propagation simulation
• fatigue life