Two Parameter J-A Estimation for Weld Centerline Cracks in Welded Single-Edge Cracked Plate Under Tensile Loading

Abstract

This work examines the J–A two-parameter characterization of elastic–plastic crack front fields for weld centerline cracks under tensile loading. Extensive finite element analyses (FEA) have been conducted to obtain solutions of constraint parameter A, which is the second parameter in a three-term elastic-plastic asymptotic expansion for the stress field near the tip of mode-I crack, for modified boundary layer (MBL) model and welded single-edge cracked plate (SECP). Solutions of the constraint parameter A were obtained for the material following the Ramberg-Osgood power law. The crack geometries analyzed include shallow and deep cracks, and remote tension loading levels cover from small-scale to large-scale yielding conditions. The effects of weld material mismatch and weld width on crack tip constraint were considered in the FEA. A constraint parameter AM, only caused by material strength mismatch, is defined and its parametric equation was obtained. The total constraint in the bi-material weldment can be predicted by adding together AM and A in the homogeneous material. Good agreements were achieved for welded SECP specimen with different crack size and weld width from small-scale to large-scale yielding conditions. This methodology would be useful for performing constraint-based elastic-plastic fracture analyses of other welded test specimens.