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<p>In-service inspections of high temperature pressureequipment show that weldments are prone to creep and fatiguedamage. It is not uncommon that severely damaged weldments arefound even before the design life of the component has beenreached. In order to improve this situation action has beentaken during the last decades, both from industry, universitiesand research institutes, aiming at an enhanced understanding ofthe weldment response.</p><p>The work presented in this thesis focuses on numericalsimulation of weldment creep response. For a more profoundunderstanding of the evolution of creep damage in mismatchedlow alloy weldments, simulations are performed using thecontinuum damage mechanics, CDM, concept. Both design and lifeassessment aspects are addressed. The possibility to assessseam welded pipes using results from tests of cross-weldspecimens taken out from the seam is investigated. It is foundthat the larger the cross-weld specimen the better thecorrelation. The advantage to use the CDM concept prior to aregular creep analysis is also pointed out. In order to developthe CDM analysis, a modified Kachanov-Rabotnov constitutivemodel is implemented into ABAQUS. Using this model, a secondredistribution of stresses is revealed as the tertiary creepstage is reached in the mismatched weldment.</p><p>Creep crack growth, CCG, in cross-weld compact tension, CT,specimens is investigated numerically where a fracturemechanics concept is developed in two steps. In the first one,the C^*value and an averaged constraint parameter areused for characterising the fields in the process zone, whilein the second step, the creep deformation rate perpendicular tothe crack plane and a constraint parameter ahead of the cracktip, are used as characterising parameters. The influence oftype and degree of mismatch, location of starter notch as wellas size of CT specimen, is investigated. Results show that notonly the material properties of the weldment constituentcontaining the crack, but also the deformation properties ofthe adjacent constituents, influence the CCG behaviour.Furthermore, the effect of size is influenced by the mismatchof the weldment constituents.</p><p>A circumferentially cracked girth weld with differentmismatch is assessed numerically by use of the fracturemechanics concept developed. The results show that type anddegree of mismatch have a great influence on the CCG behaviourand that C^*alone cannot characterise crack tip fields.Corresponding R5 assessments are also performed. Comparisonwith the numerical investigation shows that the assumption ofplane stress or plane strain conditions in the R5 analysis isessential for the agreement of the results. Assuming the formerresults in a relatively good agreement for the axial stressdominated cases while for the hoop stress dominated cases, R5predicts higher CCG rates by an order of magnitude.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>ABAQUS, constraint effect, continuum damagemechanics, creep, creep crack growth, design, design code,finite element method, fracture mechanics, life assessment,mismatch, numerical simulation, weldment</p>

In aerospace industry and other major mechanical industry systems, engineering components that are subjected to cyclic loads often lead to progressive crack growth that eventually results in struc-tural fracture. The damage tolerance design which is based on the assumption of pre-existed flaws in a structure is an important approach in aircraft industry since it is impossible to have flaw-free manufactured components.In this thesis work, an evaluation of crack propagation models was carried out. Fatigue crack growth threshold and fatigue crack growth rate models were evaluated. A method to present ex-perimental data available was developed to evaluate uncertainties in fatigue life models for more accurate predictions. Currently, a software that is used for predicting crack propagation life is NASGRO. The study has been made for two types of materials: a nickel-iron-based alloy (Inconel 718 forging) and titanium alloys (Ti 6-4 both forging and casting).A threshold model is in the normal case developed for each temperature. A method to model fatigue threshold (ΔKth) has been suggested by assuming temperature independence of ΔKth. In this method, a new threshold model was created by making use of an A/P (Actual/Predicted) plot so that all measured threshold values are on the conservative side of the minimum model. With this method, an understanding of fatigue threshold model was improved over the other method due to the possibilities to model ΔKth with average and minimum threshold values for each load ratio (ΔKth, R).Moreover, a method to investigate which set of parameters that best represent the crack growth behaviour has been suggested. In this method the best set of parameters were chosen to be the set of parameters giving the best fit to the available (da/dN, ΔK) points. The comparison between this method and the method with the set of parameters that give minimum scatter in the A/P values was done.Crack growth rate da/dN log curves were plotted as function of stress intensity range ΔK for R-ratio values ranging from -2 to 0.9 for the two different methods. A distinctive difference between the two methods was observed in Paris region at high temperatures (5500C-6500C) which becomes more obvious at lower R-ratios. Predicting crack propagation rate model with set of parameters giving minimum standard deviation in da/dN points was shown to be less conservative than that of parameter sets giving lowest scatter in A/P. Using both evaluation methods, da/dN versus ΔK plots of Inconel718forging were compared to da/dN (ΔK) plots for the pre-existing data at 5500C for R-ratios ranging from 0 to 0.8. An overall R-ratio influence was observed throughout for both ΔKth and da/dN.

This dissertation presents three studies addressing various modeling and computational aspects of lattice structures. The first study is concerned with characterization of the threshold behavior for very slow (subcritical) crack growth. First, it is shown that this behavior requires the presence of a healing mechanism. Then thermodynamic analysis of brittle fracture specimens near the threshold developed by Rice (1978) is extended to specimens undergoing microstructural changes. This extension gives rise to a generalization of the threshold concept that mirrors the way the resistance R-curve generalizes the fracture toughness. In the absence of experimental data, the resistance curve near the threshold is constructed using a lattice model that includes healing and rupture mechanisms. The second study is concerned with transmission of various boundary conditions through irregular lattices. The boundary conditions are parameterized using trigonometric Fourier series, and it is shown that, under certain conditions, transmission through irregular lattices can be well approximated by that through classical continuum. It is determined that such transmission must involve the wavelength of at least 12 lattice spacings; for smaller wavelength classical continuum approximations become increasingly inaccurate. Also it is shown that this restriction is much more severe than that associated with identifying the minimum size for representative volume elements. The third study is concerned with extending the use of boundary algebraic equations to problems involving irregular rather than regular lattices. Such an extension would be indispensable for solving multiscale problems defined on irregular lattices, as boundary algebraic equations provide seamless bridging between discrete and continuum models. It is shown that, in contrast to regular lattices, boundary algebraic equations for irregular lattices require a statistical rather than deterministic treatment. Furthermore, boundary algebraic equations for irregular lattices contain certain terms that require the same amount of computational effort as the original problem. / text

In systems subjected to long-term loading, subcritical crack growth is the principal mechanism causing the time-dependent deformation and failure of rocks. Subcritical crack growth is environmentally-assisted crack growth, which can allow cracks to grow over a long period of time at stresses far smaller than their failure strength and at tectonic strain rates. The characteristics of subcritical crack growth can be described by a relationship between the stress intensity factor and the crack velocity. This study presents the results of studies conducted to validate the constant stress-rate test for determining subcritical crack growth parameters in Coconino sandstone, compared with the conventional testing method, the double torsion test. The results of the constant stress-rate test are in good agreement with the results of double torsion test. More importantly, the stress-rate tests can determine the parameter A with a much smaller standard deviation than the double torsion test. Thus the constant stress-rate test seems to be both a valid and preferred test method for determining the subcritical crack growth parameters in rocks. We investigated statistical aspects of the constant stress-rate test. The effects of the number of tests conducted on the subcritical crack growth parameters were examined and minimum specimen numbers were determined. The mean and standard deviation of the subcritical crack growth parameters were obtained by randomly selecting subsets from the original strength data. In addition, the distribution form of the subcritical crack growth parameters and the relation between the parameter n and A were determined. We extended the constant stress-rate test technique to modes II and III subcritical crack growth in rocks. The experimental results of the modes I, II and III tests show that the values of the subcritical crack growth parameters are similar to each other. The subcritical crack growth parameter n value for Coconino sandstone has the range of 34 to 38 and the parameter A has the range of 1.02x10⁻² to 6.52x10⁻² m/s. The effect of confining stress, specimen size, and water saturation on subcritical crack growth under mode II loading has also been investigated. Finally strength parameters for Coconino sandstone were determined experimentally, including tensile strength, uniaxial compressive strength, cohesion, internal friction angle, in-plane / our-of-plane shear strength and the fracture toughness under mode I, II, and III loading.

The primary focus of this research is to evaluate the time-dependent crack growth in rocks using lab tests and numerical modeling and its application to geologic hazard problems. This research utilized Coconino sandstone and Columbia granite as the study materials and produced the subcritical crack growth parameters in both mode I and II loadings using the rock materials. The mode I loading test employs three different types of fracture mechanics tests: the Double Torsion (DT), the Wedge Splitting (WS), and the Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) test. Each test measured the mode I crack velocity. The DT test indirectly measured the crack velocity using the load relaxation method. The WS and DCB tests directly measured the crack velocity by monitoring using a video recording. The different mode I subcritical crack growth parameters obtained from the three tests are discussed. For the mode II loading test, this study developed a new shear fracture toughness test called the modified Punch-Through Shear (MPTS). The MPTS test conducted at different loading rates produced the mode II subcritical crack growth parameters. These fracture mechanics tests were calibrated and simulated using the distinct element method (DEM) and the finite element method (FEM). DEM analysis employed the particle flow code (PFC) to simulate the mixed mode crack growth and to match with the failure strength envelop of the triaxial compressive tests. FEM analysis employed the Phase2 program to analyze the crack tip stress distribution and the FRANC2D program to calculate the modes I and II stress intensity factors. The fracture mechanics tests and numerical modeling showed well the dependency of the mode II subcritical crack growth parameters according to confining pressure, loading rate, and the mode II fracture toughness. Finally, the UDEC modeling based on DEM is utilized in this study to forecast the long-term stability of the Coconino rock slope, as one of geologic hazards. The fracture mechanics approach is implemented in the program using the modes I and II subcritical crack growth parameters obtained from the lab tests and numerical modeling. Considering the progressive failure of rock bridges due to subcritical crack growth, the UDEC results predicted the stable condition of the Coconino rock cliff over 10,000 years. This result was validated by comparing it with the previous planar failure case.

The effect of the element length is examined in modelling crack growth in fatigue loading of an adhesive joint. This is done for a cohesive element using an expression for the damage evolution developed at the University of Skövde which is implemented using the UMAT subroutine in the FE-solver Abaqus. These analyses are done for pure mode I loading by analysing a DCB-specimen loaded by a pure moment. An expression is developed in which the critical element length is dependent on the geometry of the specimen (in the form of the wave number of the adhesive joint), the element length, the material properties of the adhesive (in form of the material parameters , , ), the load applied (in form of the stress in the crack tip), the time step used in the analysis and the crack growth rate. It is shown that the results converge by decreasing the element length and the time step used. Therefore an expression for the crack growth rate as a function of the remaining parameters can be determined. Another expression is thereafter developed for the element length needed in order to get a crack growth rate within a certain range of the critical element length. The results show a regular pattern but are not monotone. Therefor two different definitions of the critical element length are tested, either by defining the critical element length as the point where the error is greater than an arbitrary boundary of 1 % of a converged result or where a least square approximation of the error is within 1 % of the converged results. The first method shows a highly irregular result which makes it difficult to develop an expression out of these results. The second method on the other hand gives results that are predictable enough to develop a function out of them. This is done using a regression analysis with all parameters of a third order expression in order to get an expression.

The objective of this work is to study crack path deflection under proportional and non-proportional mixed-mode fatigue and predict crack branching direction based on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) driving forces. Under proportional in-phase mixed Mode I / Mode II loading conditions, crack growth direction has previously been observed in some materials to shift from tensile-dominated Mode I to shear-dominated Mode II or mixed-mode crack growth at higher proportions of initial Mode II loading, but non-proportional loads are not well-characterized. An LEFM approach is desired in order to implement the model in crack growth software such as the boundary element-based fracture analysis package FRANC3D. A novel specimen configuration has been designed and analyzed for generation of wide ranges of mixed-mode loading conditions in a single test. This specimen and a more conventional thin-walled tubular specimen have been used to test polycrystalline nickel-base superalloy Inconel 718 under proportional in-phase and 3 kinds of non-proportional fatigue loading. Stress intensity factors for the various configurations have been analyzed with FRANC3D. Modal transition from Mode I (tensile) to Mode II (shear) crack branching has been observed in several load cases. Qualitative microscopy of fracture surfaces was used to characterize the difference between crack branch modes. An LEFM approach based on an effective stress intensity factor range, which incorporates the maximum value and range of each appropriate stress intensity (Mode I or Mode II), has been used to successfully predict the crack deflection angles, and in some cases to quantify modal transition, within each load case considered. Variability between load cases and specimen configurations points to the limitations of LEFM in providing a general predictor of crack path behavior across all types of non-proportional mixed mode loading.

Les surfaces de rupture par fatigue peuvent représenter les aspects complexes en fonction de: type de matériau, le mécanisme de condition de sollicitations mécaniques, environnement ambiant etc.Dans le cadre des chargements complexes ou variables les surfaces de rupture sont encore plus difficiles à analyser, car de telles sollicitations peuvent engendrer les changements de mécanismes dans certains matériaux.Dans le cadre de changements variables, l'une des questions importantes est la connaissance de la vitesse de croissance des fissures.Des techniques actuelles de mesures de vitesse font appel aux mesures optiques ou aux mesures indirectes de mesures de la cinétique de croissance de fissures.Une méthode élégante consiste à faire des cycles marqueurs qui permettent de laisser une marque sur la surface de rupture que l'on ensuite identifier par analyse au microscope à balayage.A cette fin on peut utiliser : - les petites surcharges, les sous charges, les cycles en dessous du seuil de non propagation, un changement de température etc.Le but de travail de thèse serait de développer les cycles marqueurs sur trois matériaux:un alliage d'aluminium, un acier et un caoutchouc synthétique.L'idée étant de développer des cycles de marquage sans modifier le cinétique de propagation.Les essais comparatifs de fissuration seront menés avec ou sans cycles de marquage pour vérifier cette hypothèse.Le travail expérimental sera effectué au LMR (machine de fatigue) ainsi que l'analyse MEB. / The fracture surfaces of fatigue can represent complex aspects according to:type of material, provided mechanism of mechanical stresses, ambient environment, etc.Under complex loadings or variable ones, fracture surfaces are more difficult to analyze because such changes can cause change in mechanisms in certain materials.Under variable amplitudes, one of the important issues is the knowledge of the crack growth rate.Current techniques involve optical measurements or indirect ones that measures the kinetics of crack growth.An elegant method is to generate marker bands that can leave a mark on the fracture surface which is then identified by scanning electron microscope analysis.For this purpose one can use: - small overload, under load, cycles below the threshold, a change of temperature, etc.The aim of this thesis is to develop the technique of marker bands on three materials:an aluminum alloy, steel and synthetic rubber.The idea is to develop this technique without changing the propagation kinetics.The experiments will be conducted by fatigue cracking with or without marking marker bands to test this hypothesis.The experimental work has been carried out in LMR laboratory.

Objetivos: determinar a resistência à flexão em três pontos (f), módulo de Weibull (m), coeficiente de susceptibilidade ao crescimento subcrítico de trinca (n) e tenacidade à fratura (KIC) de três cerâmicas usadas para confecção de infraestrutura (IE) de próteses parciais fixas (PPFs) (YZ- zircônia tetragonal parcialmente estabilizada por óxido de ítrio; IZ- cerâmica a base de alumina infiltrada por vidro e reforçada com zircônia; AL alumina policristalina) e duas porcelanas (VM7 e VM9); avaliar o efeito da configuração (uma, duas ou três camadas) nos valores de f e modo de fratura dos corpos-de-prova (CP); avaliar a influência do material de IE, do tamanho dos conectores e da ciclagem mecânica (CM) na carga de fratura (CF) e distribuição de tensões de PPFs; relacionar o comportamento mecânico dos materiais cerâmicos testados na configuração de barra e de PPF. Material e Método: Foram produzidos três tipos de CP em forma de barra (2mm x 4mm x 16mm): monolítico, duas camadas e três camadas. As IE das PPFs foram confeccionadas utilizando o sistema CAD-CAM e recobertas com porcelana. Os ensaios de f foram realizados em saliva artificial a 37ºC. Os valores de m e n foram determinados pela análise de Weibull e ensaio de fadiga dinâmica, respectivamente. As PPFs foram carregadas no centro do pôntico até a fratura. Oito PPFs de cada grupo foram submetidas a CM com freqüência de 2 Hz e carga de 140 N durante 106 ciclos e, posteriormente, ensaiadas até a fratura. A distribuição de tensões nas PPFs foi avaliada com análise de elementos finitos (AEF). Os princípios da fractografia foram utilizados para determinar o padrão de fratura e os valores de KIC. Os dados de f e CF foram analisados estatisticamente com Kruskal-Wallis e Tukey (95%). Resultados: A YZ obteve o maior valor de f (860 MPa) seguida dos materiais IZ (411 MPa) e AL (474 MPa) que não apresentaram diferença estatística. Os menores valores de f foram encontrados para as porcelanas (65 MPa). Os valores de m foram semelhantes para os materiais, com exceção dos grupos IZ e VM7, que apresentaram diferença significante. Os maiores valores de n foram encontrados para as cerâmicas YZ (76) e AL (72), seguidos pela IZ (54) e pelas porcelanas (40). A YZ apresentou o maior valor de KIC. O material submetido à tensão de tração durante o ensaio determinou o valor de f das estruturas. As PPFs de YZ com conector de 16mm2 suportaram os maiores valores de CF. Houve influência significativa do tamanho de conector para o material YZ. A CM não influenciou os valores de CF das PPFs. O padrão de distribuição de tensões foi semelhante entre as PPFs. Foi observada uma boa relação entre os valores de tensão de fratura dos materiais de IE em forma de barra e de PPF. Foram encontradas diferenças no modo de falha dos CP em forma de barra e de PPF. Conclusão: a YZ apresentou o melhor comportamento mecânico tanto na configuração de barra como de PPF. / Objectives: to determine the flexural strength (f), Weibull modulus (m), slow crack growth coefficient (n) and fracture toughness (KIC) of three ceramics used as framework materials for fixed partial dentures (FPDs) (YZ- yttria partially stabilized zirconia tetragonal polycrystals; IZ- alumina-based zirconia-reinforced glass infiltrated ceramic; AL alumina polycrystals) and two veneering porcelains (VM7 and VM9); to evaluate the effect of the specimen design (one, two or three layers) in the f and fracture mode; to evaluate the influence of the framework material, connector size and mechanical cycling (MC) in the fracture load (FL) and stress distribution of FPDs; to relate the mechanical behavior of the ceramic materials tested using bar-shaped specimens and FPDs. Materials and Methods: Bar-shaped specimens (2mm x 4mm x 16mm) were produced in three different designs: monolithic, bilayer and trilayer. FPD frameworks were built using CAD-CAM system and veneered with porcelain. Specimens were tested for three point bending in 37ºC artificial saliva. Weibull analysis and dynamic fatigue testing were used to determine m and n values, respectively. FPDs were tested with a load applied in the middle of the pontic. Eight FPDs of each group were subjected to MC using a frequency of 2Hz and load of 140N for 106 cycles and were subsequently loaded to failure. Stress distribution for FPDs was evaluated using finite element analysis (FEA). Fractography principles were used to determine the fracture mode and KIC values. f and FL data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey (95%). Results: YZ had the highest f value (860 MPa) followed by IZ (411 MPa) and AL (474 MPa). Lower f values were observed for the porcelains (65 MPa). Except for IZ and VM7, m values were similar among the ceramic materials. Higher n values were found for YZ (76) and AL (72), followed by IZ (54) and the veneering materials (40). YZ presented the highest KIC value. The f values were influenced by the material subjected to tensile stress during testing. YZ FPDs with 16mm2 connector showed higher FL values. There was significant influence of the connector size on the FL values for YZ material. MC had no influence in the FL values for the FPDs. The stress distribution was similar for all FPDs. Considering the framework material, there was a good agreement between the fracture strength values obtained for bar-shaped specimens and FPDs. Different fracture modes were observed for bar-shaped specimens and FPDs. Conclusion: YZ presented the best mechanical performance in both bar-shaped and FPD specimen configuration.