Este trabalho aborda uma investigação numérica-experimental sobre o comportamento à fratura por clivagem de um aço de alta resistência e baixa liga ASTM A572 Grau 50 usando corpos de prova SE(B) em configurações padronizadas e não padronizadas, incluindo a configuração PCVN não padronizada. O principal objetivo desse estudo é contribuir para o desenvolvimento de um procedimento de ensaio de tenacidade à fratura aplicável a geometrias SE(B) com distância entre apoios variável (S/W) e carregada sob configuração de flexão por 3 e 4 pontos. O objetivo secundário, mas não menos importante, é investigar os efeitos da geometria e do modo de carregamento sobre as distribuições dos dados de tenacidade à fratura medidas experimentalmente e suas implicações na caracterização da dependência da tenacidade em relação à temperatura baseada na metodologia da curva mestra. Com base nesses propósitos, é fornecido um novo e extenso conjunto de fatores plásticos eta (?p) aplicáveis às geometrias SE(B) não padronizadas para estimar os valores de tenacidade à fratura, incluindo a integral J e o parâmetro CTOD, medidos experimentalmente em termos de registros de carga e deslocamento. A fim de facilitar o contato com os demais protocolos de ensaios, é também fornecido um novo conjunto de fatores rotacionais plástico (rp) para determinar o CTOD baseado no modelo da rótula plástica. Os ensaios de tenacidade à fratura, realizados em diversas geometrias SE(B) com distância entre apoios variável (S/W) extraídas na direção transversal (T-L) de uma chapa de aço ASTM A572 Grau 50, fornecem os dados de tenacidade à fratura por clivagem em termos da integral-J medida no ponto de instabilidade, Jc. Os resultados experimentais mostram um potencial efeito da geometria do corpo de prova e do modo de carregamento sobre os valores de Jc, os quais podem ajudar a mitigar os efeitos da perda de restrição plástica frequentemente observada em corpos de prova de pequenas dimensões. A aplicação exploratória para determinar a temperatura de referência, T0, a partir da metodologia da curva mestra também fornece um suporte adicional para o uso de corpos de prova SE(B) não padronizados como uma alternativa geométrica nos procedimentos rotineiros de avaliação de tenacidade à fratura, incluindo o uso de corpos de prova de pequenas dimensões nas medições de tenacidade quando a disponibilidade limitada de material e a capacidade de carregamento da máquina são as principais preocupações. / This work addresses a numerical-experimental investigation on the cleavage fracture behavior of an ASTM A572 Grade 50 high strength, low alloy structural steel using standard and non-standard SE(B) specimens, including a non-standard PCVN configuration. The main purpose of this study is to contribute to the development of a fracture toughness test procedure applicable to bend geometries with varying specimen span over width ratio (S/W) and loaded under 3-point and 4-point flexural configuration. The secondary purpose, but none the less important, is to investigate the effects of geometry and loading mode on experimentally measured fracture toughness data distributions and implications for the characterization of the temperature dependence of toughness based on the Master Curve methodology. Based on these purposes, a large new set of plastic ?-factors applicable to these non-standard bend geometries which serve to estimate the experimentally measured toughness values in terms of load-displacement records, including the J-integral and the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD), is provided. In order to facilitate contact with other test protocols, a new set of rotational factors, rp, to determine the CTOD based on the plastic hinge model is also described. Fracture toughness testing conducted on various bend geometries with varying specimen span (S/W) extracted in the T-L orientation from an A572 Grade 50 steel plate provides the cleavage fracture resistance data in terms of the J-integral at cleavage instability, Jc. The experimental results show a potential effect of specimen geometry and loading mode on Jc-values which can help mitigating the effects of constraint loss often observed in smaller fracture specimens. An exploratory application to determine the reference temperature, T0, derived from the Master Curve methodology also provides additional support for using non-standard bend specimens as an alternative specimen geometry in routine fracture assessments, including the use of small-scale fracture specimens to measure fracture toughness properties when limited material availability and test machine capacity are of major concern are of major concern.

Este trabalho apresenta uma investigação experimental sobre o comportamento à fratura frágil de aços estruturais ferríticos, ASTM A285 Gr C e ASTM A515 Gr 65. Os resultados deste trabalho ampliam a base de dados de propriedades mecânicas utilizadas nas análises de integridade de estruturas pressurizadas tais como vasos de pressão e tanques de armazenamento construídos com esta classe de material. O trabalho tem por objetivo também avaliar a aplicabilidade de corpos de prova de dimensões reduzidas, PCVN, na determinação da temperatura de referência, T0, por meio da metodologia da Curva Mestra, a qual define a dependência da tenacidade à fratura do material em função da temperatura. Os ensaios de tenacidade à fratura foram conduzidos utilizando-se corpos de prova solicitados em flexão três pontos com geometria SE(B), PCVN e PCVN com entalhe lateral, extraídos de chapas laminadas. Os resultados dos ensaios foram obtidos em termos de integral J no momento da instabilidade, denotados por Jc. Dados adicionais de resistência à tração e de Impacto Charpy convencional também foram obtidos para caracterizar o comportamento mecânico dos aços utilizados. Os resultados mostraram uma forte influência da geometria dos corpos de prova sobre os valores de Jc, evidenciada pela grande variação nos valores de tenacidade à fratura. / This work presents an experimental investigation on the cleavage fracture behavior of structural ferritic steels, ASTM A285 Grade C and ASTM A515 Grade 65. One purpose of this study is to enlarge a previously reported work on mechanical and fracture properties for this class of steel to provide a more definite database for use in structural and defect analyses of pressurized components, including pressure vessels and storage tanks. Another purpose is to address the applicability of Precracked V-notch Charpy specimens to determine the reference temperature, T0, derived from the Master Curve Methodology which defines the dependence of fracture toughness with temperature for the tested material. Fracture toughness testing conducted on single edge bend specimens in three-point loading (SE(B), PCVN Plain Side and PCVN Side Grooved) extracted from laminated plates provides the cleavage fracture resistance data in terms of the J-integral at cleavage instability, Jc. Additional tensile and conventional Charpy tests produce further experimental data which serve to characterize the mechanical behavior of the tested materials. The results reveal a strong effect of specimen geometry on Jc values associated with large scatter in the measured values of cleavage fracture toughness.

L’objectif principal de cette thèse était d’examiner dans quelle mesure il est possible d’étendre l’approche de la courbe maîtresse à des composants complexes afin de déterminer des conditions de déverminage et de réaliser une prédiction de durée de vie en fonction de ces conditions de déverminage. Nous avons considéré la stabilité d’un réseau dit élémentaire (réseau carré, à pas constant et droit) puis le problème de la stabilité (selon des critères spécifiques) des composants complexes: les CDC et les monofiltres GFF. Cette thèse a permis de décrire de façon rigoureuse, puis d'utiliser le cadre de travail VAREPA pour résoudre des problèmes issus de l'industrie de télécoms. A cet effet, des séries d’études de vieillissement accéléré sur des réseaux simples et complexes ont été menées. Un protocole de mesure permettant de déterminer les incertitudes de mesure a été mis au point afin de déterminer de façon fiable des intervalles de confiance sur les prédictions de durée de vie.Nous avons étudié les cinétiques de croissance des réseaux inscrits dans une fibre dédiée à l’inscription des CDC (Coreactive). Cette étude nous a permis de montrer que la réaction prédominante à l’origine des changements d’indice de réfraction est activée par une absorption à 1 photon. D’autre part, nous avons étendu le cadre de travail utilisé pour prédire l’effacement des réseaux (VAREPA) afin de rendre compte de leurs cinétiques d’inscription. Puis nous avons cherché à déterminer les conditions de passivation et à prédire la durée de vie des réseaux déverminés en présence d’hydrogène résiduelle (procédé industriel actuel). Pour cela, nous avons établi la courbe maîtresse de réseaux photoinscrits non déverminés puis nous avons validé les conditions de déverminage et les prédictions de durée de vie en construisant une nouvelle courbe maîtresse sur des réseaux déverminés.Nous avons étudié la stabilité thermique des réseaux inscrits dans une fibre hydrogénée dédiée aux futurs monofiltres GFF dans des conditions d’inscription similaires à celles de ces composants. Nous avons utilisé les courbes maîtresses établies à partir des réseaux élémentaires (mais apodisés) simplement dégazés « à froid » (ici 2jours à 50°C puis 2 jours à 110°C). Puis, nous avons fait vieillir le profil d’indice (cœur et gaine) d’un monofiltre GFF. Puis, nous avons recalculé la réponse spectrale de ce filtre vieilli (e.g. 30jours à 200°C) et nous l’avons comparé à des mesures expérimentales. Cette approche reste générale et permet de changer les conditions de déverminage au besoin. Cette étude nous a permis de mettre en évidence que la stabilité des variations d’indice photo-induites dans le cœur dépend peu de l’amplitude initiale de la modulation pour des valeurs comprises entre quelques 10-5 et 10-3. Du fait de la présence d’une gaine optique fortement photosensible (car fortement dopée en Ge), nous avons établi les courbes maîtresses des variations d’indice photo-inscrites dans le cœur et la gaine optique pour des valeurs allant jusque 10-3 dans le cœur et 3.10-3 dans la gaine. Nous avons ainsi obtenu des courbes maîtresses présentant le même k0 (fréquence d'essai, i.e facteur pré exponentiel) mais dont la forme est légèrement différente. La stabilité des variations d’indice est meilleure dans le cœur (moins dopé en Ge) que dans la gaine photosensible. Dans un second temps, nous avons cherché à déterminer les conditions de passivation et à prédire la durée de vie des réseaux déverminés à partir des réseaux de Bragg qualifiés d’élémentaires. Pour la première fois à notre connaissance, nous avons validé de façon fiable les conditions de passivation et les prédictions de durée de vie en construisant une nouvelle courbe maîtresse sur des monofiltres GFF préalablement déverminés. Conformément à la théorie, cette courbe maîtresse présente le même k0 et une forme similaire à celle établie au moyen de réseaux non déverminés, ce qui valide la fiabilité de nos prédictions. / The main objective of this thesis was to investigate how it is possible to extend the master curveapproach to complex components, in order to calculate annealing conditions and giving a life timeprediction according those annealing conditions. We studied the stability of a simple Bragg grating (noapodisation, constant pitch, no tilt). Then, we have been able to study the problem of the stability(according to specific criteria) of complex components: CDC and GFF monofilters. This thesis allowed toshow precisely what is the VAREPA framework and how to apply it to optical telecommunicationsproblems. To give an answer to the question of the possibility of extending the master curve approach tocomplex components, series of accelerate aging studies have been carried out. For this purpose, ameasurement protocol including the determination of the measurement uncertainty was developed. Thisprotocol allow, to determine confidence intervals on the life time prediction.We studied the kinetics of photo induced index growth in the optical fiber dedicated forfabrication of CDC (Coreactive). This study allowed us to demonstrate that the predominant reaction atthe origin of changes in refractive index is activated by a one photon absorption. On the other hand wehave extended the VEREPA framework used to predict the Bragg gratings erasure to take into account thegrowing kinetics. In a second step we tried to calculate annealing conditions in the presence of residualmolecular hydrogen and associated Bragg grating life time prediction. For that purpose we established themaster curve of photo-induced Bragg gratings without annealing, then we validated the annealingconditions and lifetime predictions by building a new master curve from aging of annealed Bragg gratings(in presence of residual hydrogen).We studied the thermal stability of hydrogenated fiber Bragg gratings dedicated to futuremonofiltres GFF in similar conditions to those components. We used master curves from basic Bragggratings (ie no apodisation, constant pitch, no tilt) simply out-gazed at "cold" temperature (here 2 days at50 ° C and 2 days at 110 ° C). Then the aging of the index profile of a GFF monofilter have beensimulated (index profile of the core and of the cladding, each of them having a different master curve).For that purpose the profile have been separated into 35 "basic" filters. Then the spectral response of thisaged monofilter (e.g. 30 days at 200°C) have been calculated and compared with experimentalmeasurements. The advantage of this approach is that it is general and allow to change the annealingconditions if needed. Firstly, this study allowed to highlight that the stability of photo-induced indexchanges in the core depend little on the initial amplitude modulation for values between several 10-5 and10-3. Secondly, due to the presence of a highly sensitive optical cladding (and therefore highly Ge doped),Master curves, of photo-induced index change in the core and the cladding have been established forvalues ranging up to 10-3 in the core and 3.10-3 in the cladding. Master Curves with the same k0 havebeen obtained but the elbow and the slopes are different. Stability of index variations in the core is better(less Ge doped) than in the photosensitive cladding. In a second step, from the basic Bragg gratings, theannealing conditions and the lifetime have been determined. For the first time to our knowledge, thereliably of the annealing conditions and the life time predictions have been validated by building a newmaster curve on annealed GFF monofilters. According to the theory, this master curve show the same k0as the one determined using non-annealed gratings. More beyond the elbow, the two curves are same,which validates the reliability of our predictions.

Este trabalho apresenta uma investigação experimental sobre o comportamento à fratura frágil de aços estruturais ferríticos, ASTM A285 Gr C e ASTM A515 Gr 65. Os resultados deste trabalho ampliam a base de dados de propriedades mecânicas utilizadas nas análises de integridade de estruturas pressurizadas tais como vasos de pressão e tanques de armazenamento construídos com esta classe de material. O trabalho tem por objetivo também avaliar a aplicabilidade de corpos de prova de dimensões reduzidas, PCVN, na determinação da temperatura de referência, T0, por meio da metodologia da Curva Mestra, a qual define a dependência da tenacidade à fratura do material em função da temperatura. Os ensaios de tenacidade à fratura foram conduzidos utilizando-se corpos de prova solicitados em flexão três pontos com geometria SE(B), PCVN e PCVN com entalhe lateral, extraídos de chapas laminadas. Os resultados dos ensaios foram obtidos em termos de integral J no momento da instabilidade, denotados por Jc. Dados adicionais de resistência à tração e de Impacto Charpy convencional também foram obtidos para caracterizar o comportamento mecânico dos aços utilizados. Os resultados mostraram uma forte influência da geometria dos corpos de prova sobre os valores de Jc, evidenciada pela grande variação nos valores de tenacidade à fratura. / This work presents an experimental investigation on the cleavage fracture behavior of structural ferritic steels, ASTM A285 Grade C and ASTM A515 Grade 65. One purpose of this study is to enlarge a previously reported work on mechanical and fracture properties for this class of steel to provide a more definite database for use in structural and defect analyses of pressurized components, including pressure vessels and storage tanks. Another purpose is to address the applicability of Precracked V-notch Charpy specimens to determine the reference temperature, T0, derived from the Master Curve Methodology which defines the dependence of fracture toughness with temperature for the tested material. Fracture toughness testing conducted on single edge bend specimens in three-point loading (SE(B), PCVN Plain Side and PCVN Side Grooved) extracted from laminated plates provides the cleavage fracture resistance data in terms of the J-integral at cleavage instability, Jc. Additional tensile and conventional Charpy tests produce further experimental data which serve to characterize the mechanical behavior of the tested materials. The results reveal a strong effect of specimen geometry on Jc values associated with large scatter in the measured values of cleavage fracture toughness.

The thesis is focused on the prediction of the fracture toughness temperature dependence through a universal curve of fracture toughness (also known as the master curve). To determine the parameters of the universal curve of fracture toughness, values acquired from the measurement results of fracture toughness and tensile tests of structural steel P91 are used. The theoretical part is based on a summary of the relevant information from the field of fracture mechanics and brittle-ductile fracture behavior of steels that are important for the understanding of fracture-strain response of materials depending on load conditions. The experimental part of the thesis contains the results from practical measurements and analyses, which were used for determining the parameters of a universal curve of fracture toughness as well as for the evaluation of fracture behavior and description of the impact of structural parameters on this behavior in case of steel P91.