Assessment of circumferentially complex-cracked pipe subjected to bending

In this study the validity of various analyses to predict crack initiation, maximum load, and the corresponding displacements for 6.625-inch (168-mm) diameter circumferentially complex-cracked pipe under pure bending was assessed. The results of six pipe fracture experiments on three materials (SA-376 TP304 stainless steel, Inconel 600, and A106 Grade B carbon steel) were used to verify the accuracy of these analytical predictions. Three different sets of analyses were conducted. First, the experimental pipe fracture data were compared with net-section-collapse predicted loads. These comparisons showed that some of the complex-cracked pipes failed at loads 23 to 33% below net-section-collapse predicted loads. Second, J-resistance (J-R) curves were calculated from each pipe experiment using the eta-factor method. These results revealed that the J-R curves from the complex-cracked pipe experiments were significantly less than J-R curves from 0.5T compact (tension) specimens. Furthermore, the pipe J-R curves decreased systematically with increasing ratios of surface crack depth to pipe wall thickness. Third, predictions of loads and displacements in each experiment were made using four different J-estimation schemes. Good agreement was obtained between the predictions and the experimental data up to maximum load. Once past maximum load, however, the J-estimation schemes overpredicted loads and displacements.