Probabilistic failure assessment of ferritic steels using the master curve approach including constraint effects

The present study is concerned with an enhancement of the master curve approach for the probabilistic failure assessment of ferritic steel structures considering constraint effects. In an experimental program based on a variety of different specimens, distinct effects of the specimen geometry on the reference temperature T0 are observed. The experimental data base is examined in terms of the K–Tstress-, J–A2-, J–Q- and J–h-concepts. Based on the results, a constraint enhancement for the master curve concept is suggested consisting of a constraint dependent temperature shift or an alternative constraint dependent scaling of the stress intensity factor.