Extension of fracture mechanics evaluation methods by consideration of multiaxiality of stress state for piping components Original Research Article

Experimental investigations and numerical calculations by means of the finite element method concerning linear elastic as well as elastic-plastic material behaviour were performed to develop a methodology for the fracture mechanics evaluation taking into account the multiaxiality of stress state. A description of this fracture mechanics evaluation methodology and its application on degraded piping components (T-branches and elbows with dimensions like the primary coolant lines of PWR-plants) is provided and discussed.