Comparison of semi-elliptical cracks in cylinders with a thickness transition and in a straight cylinders – Elastic–plastic behaviour

This paper presents a study of a circumferential external semi-elliptical crack in a cylinder with a thickness transition. Crack harmfulness is compared to the harmfulness of a similar crack in a straight cylinder, on the basis of J-integral calculations. Loads considered are pure tensile stress and bending moment. A numerical analysis is performed considering elastic plastic behaviour of material. A crack mesh was designed for 3D models. The results show that the cylinder with a thickness transition is more vulnerable to the defect. A simple method for J calculation at the deepest point of the crack in the transition zone is also proposed.