Weibull stress analysis for the corner crack in reactor pressure vessel nozzle

Abstract

The nozzle region of a reactor pressure vessel experiences higher and more complex stresses than the remaining part of the reactor pressure vessel. If a corner crack is postulated in the nozzle region, it is necessary to consider the potential strong influence of constraint on fracture behavior due to inelastic deformations of crack tip. In accordance with the requirement of probabilistic fracture mechanics, Weibull stress in local approach to fracture is analyzed with the consideration of constraint effect. Conventional fracture analysis is also carried out using a three-dimensional crack model, and the fracture driving forces ( K I and J ) and T -stress are obtained. Weibull stress along the crack tip is also computed by three-dimensional models. The modified boundary layer model with plastic correction is developed for a corner crack in the reactor pressure vessel nozzle. Under the J - T stress field from three-dimensional models, Weibull stress values obtained using the modified boundary layer model are compared and discussed with that by three-dimensional models. It is found that the modified boundary layer model can effectively predict the Weibull stress under the J - T stress field, which simplified the Weibull stress calculation process for complex structures.