Predicting the Crack Response for a Pipe with a Complex Crack

Traditional flaw evaluation in the nuclear field uses conservative methods to predict maximum load carrying capacity for flaws in a given pipe. There is a need in the nuclear industry for more accurate estimates of the load carrying capacity of nuclear piping such that probabilistic tools can be used to predict the time to failure for various types of cracks. These more accurate estimates will allow the nuclear industry to repair flaws at a more appropriate time considering external factors such as costs and man-rem planning along with the flaw repair. Analysis of the maximum load carrying capacity of a pipe with a complex crack (CC) has gained increased importance due to the recent identification of long CC\u27s that have appeared in dissimilar metal (DM) welds thought to be caused by primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC). A coded solution for a single material with a weld was developed that gives an accurate maximum load and crack driving force prediction for a pipe with a through wall crack (TWC), called LBBEng. To support the analysis of a CC, traditionally, an assumption is used that the CC performs similar to that of a TWC of a reduced thickness (TWCr). This modification gives a conservative prediction of the maximum load carrying capacity for a CC in a single material but was never verified for a CC in a DM weld. From the evaluation of the DM weld test data, along with finite element analysis, it can be demonstrated that the crack response of a CC can be predicted by a TWC model when modifications are made to the reduced thickness method

Leak-before-break: Global perspectives and procedures

Structural integrity of components containing fluids is critical for economic, environmental and safety issues. Any risk of catastrophic failure, in the form of either brittle or ductile manner, is not acceptable across the industries. Consequently, many efforts have been invested in the structural integrity aspect to improve the assessment methodologies. One of the ways to aid the decision whether or not to live with the defect is through the demonstration of Leak-Before-Break (LBB). LBB which is a well-established practice in the nuclear industry, albeit as a defence-in-depth argument or to justify the elimination of pipe whip restraints, also finds its applicability in other industries. A review of the available procedures, their associated limitations and the research carried out in the last thirty years is presented in this paper. Application of this concept within non-nuclear industries is also discussed