• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.851-857
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• 2015

In this paper, we estimate the time-dependent C(t) integrals under elastic-plastic-creep conditions. Finite-element (FE) transient creep analyses have been performed for single-edge-notched-bend (SEB) specimens. We investigate the effect of the initial plasticity on the transient creep by systematically varying the magnitude of the initial step load. We consider both the same stress exponent and different stress exponents in the power-law creep and plasticity to elastic-plastic-creep behavior. To estimate the C(t) integrals, we compare the FE analysis results with those obtained using formulas. In this paper, we propose a modified equation to predict the C(t) integrals for the case of creep exponents that are different from the plastic exponent.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.1001-1010
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• 2015

This paper estimates the time-dependent crack-tip stress fields under elastic-plastic-creep conditions. We perform Finite-Element (FE) transient creep analyses for a Single-Edge-notched-Bend (SEB) specimen. We investigate the effect of the initial plasticity on the transient creep by systematically varying the magnitude of the initial step-load. We consider both the same stress exponent and different stress exponent in the power-law creep and plasticity to determine the elastic-plastic-creep behaviour. To estimation of the crack-tip stress fields, we compare FE analysis results with those obtained numerically formulas. In addition, we propose a new equation to predict the crack-tip stress fields when the creep exponent is different from the plastic exponent.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.823-832
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• 2003

To define the causes of cladding degradation which can take place during the operation of nuclear power plants, it is required to develop the new fracture toughness test of spent fuel cladding. The fracture toughness of Zircaloy-4 cladding was estimated using the recently developed KAERI embedded Charpy (KEC) specimen. Axially notched KEC specimens cut directly from unirradiated fuel claddings, were tested in a way similar to the standard toughness test method of a Single Edge Bending (SEB) specimen. The results of KEC fracture toughness test at room temperatures were discussed and compared with those of the previous other studies. In conclusions, even though the KEC fracture toughness test of nuclear fuel claddings was easier and more reliable than those developed earlier, the results from the cladding fracture tests were not the material characteristics but the specific fracture parameters which were deeply related to the specification of claddings. In addition, the phenomenon of a thickness yielding was not observed from the fracture surface. It was closely related to the fact that the plane strain condition of the KEC specimen was changed to the plane stress condition during crack advancing. It was also supported by the fractographic evidence that the formation of ductile dimples at the crack initiation became the similar appearance such as a quasi-cleavage after the sufficient crack advancing.