Estimates of elastic fracture mechanics parameters for thick-walled pipes with slanted axial through-wall cracks

The present paper provides the elastic stress intensity factors (SIFs) and the crack opening displacements (CODs) of a thick-walled pipe with a slanted axial through-wall crack. For estimating these elastic fracture mechanics parameters, systematic three-dimensional elastic finite element (FE) analyses were performed by considering geometric variables, i.e., thickness of pipe, reference crack length, and crack length ratio, affecting the SIFs and CODs. As for loading condition, the internal pressure was considered. Based on the FE results, the SIFs and CODs of slanted axial through-wall cracks in a thickwalled pipe along the crack front and the wall thickness were calculated. In particular, to calculate the SIFs of a thick-walled pipe with a slanted axial through-wall crack from those of a thick-walled pipe with an idealized axial through-wall crack, a slant correction factor representing the effect of the slant crack on the SIFs was proposed.