Technical Application of Fracture Mechanics to Thin-Walled Structures

Abstract This paper reviews recent developments in the application of fracture mechanics to such structures as welded steel tanks, ships, and thin-wall pressure vessels, with particular attention to Japanese work. It describes methods for estimating critical crack size and safe working conditions, taking into account such fabrication variables as angular distortion, welding residual stress, prestrain, plate curvature and stress concentration. Whilst most of the paper is devoted to a consideration of the conditions for crack instability, it also discusses crack arrest and gives experimental results for the effect of thickness on both initiation and arrest.