Local approach to fracture based prediction of the ∆T56J and ∆T K1C100 shifts due to irradiation for an A508 pressure vessel steel

A material model integrating a description of viscoplasticity, ductile damage and brittle fracture is used to simulate both the impact (Charpy) test and the toughness (CT) fracture test. The model is calibrated on the Charpy data obtained on an unirradiated A508 Cl.3 steel. It is then applied to irradiated material assuming that irradiation affects solely hardening. Comparison with Charpy energy data for different amounts of irradiation shows that irradiation probably also affects brittle fracture. The model is then used to predict the DTKIc100 shifts for different levels of irradiation.