• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-50
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• 2002

A series of tests on simple-welded plate specimens (SWPS) and T-stub tension specimens simulating some of the joint details in moment frame connections were conducted in this investigation. The effects of weld strength mismatch and weld metal toughness on structural behavior of these specimens were considered under both static and dynamic loading conditions. Finite element analyses were performed by taking into account typical weld residual stress distributions and weld metal strength mismatch conditions to facilitate the interpretation of the test results. The major findings are as follows: (a) Sufficient specimen size requirements are essential in simulating both load transfer and constraint conditions that are relevant to moment frame connections, (b) Weld residual stresses can significantly elevate stress triaxiality in addition to structural constraint effects, both of which can significantly reduce the plastic deformation capacity in moment frame connections, (c) Based on the test results, dynamic loading within a loading rate of 0.02 in/in/sec, as used in this study, premature brittle fractures were not seen, although a significant elevation of the yield strength can be clearly observed. However, brittle fracture features can be clearly identified in T-stub specimens in which severe constraint effects (stress triaxiality) are considered as the primary cause, (d) Based on both the test and FEA results, T-stub specimens provide a reasonable representation of the joint conditions in moment frame connections in simulating both complex load transfer mode and constraint conditions.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.354-366
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• 2020

This work mainly focuses on determination of the fully plastic J-integral solutions for welded center cracked plates subjected to remote tension loading. Detailed three-dimensional elasticeplastic Finite Element Analyses (FEA) were implemented to compute the fully plastic J-integral along the crack front for a wide range of crack geometries, material properties and weld strength mismatch ratios for 900 cases. According to the database generated from FEA, Back-propagation Neural Network (BPNN) model was proposed to predict the values and distributions of fully plastic J-integral along crack front based on the variables used in FEA. The determination coefficient R2 is greater than 0.99, indicating the robustness and goodness of fit of the developed BPNN model. The network model can accurately and efficiently predict the elastic-plastic J-integral for weld centerline crack, which can be used to perform fracture analyses and safety assessment for welded center cracked plates with varying strength mismatch conditions under uniaxial loading.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.411-418
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• 2008

In this work, the effect of strength mismatch on plastic limit loads is quantified for similar metal weld plates with cracks under tension load, via three-dimensional, small strain elastic-perfectly plastic finite element analyses. Relevant variables related to plate geometry and crack length are systematically varied, in addition to the weld width. An important finding is that mis-match limit loads can be uniquely quantified through strength mis-match ratio and one geometry-related parameter. Based on the proposed limit load solutions, reference stress based J-integral estimates is also investigated. When the reference stress is defined by the mis-match limit load, predicted J-integral values agree overall well with FE results.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.1830-1835
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• 2007

In the present work, the effect of strength mismatch on plastic limit loads is quantified for strength-mismatched plates with constant-depth surface cracks under tension, via three-dimensional, small strain elastic-perfectly plastic finite element analyses. Relevant variables related to plate and crack geometries are systematically varied, in addition to the weld width. An important finding is that a parameter related to the weld width-to-ligament ratio is proposed, based on which limit loads can be uniquely quantified. The proposed limit load solutions is a valuable input to estimate nonlinear fracture mechanics parameters based on the reference stress approach.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.413-421
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• 2010

In this study, residual-stress distributions in welds with different strength used in natural gas pipelines are calculated by using finite-element analysis and simulating a realistic welding process. The temperature and residual-stress analysis results are compared with the real fusion profile and the application results of the Fitness-For-Service assessment code, API 579 in order to validate the finite-element analysis model and procedure. Parametric study is performed to assess the effect of welding and material variables such as mechanical strength mismatch, the strength of weld metal, reinforcement, and heat input on the residual stress distributions. Finally, on the basis of the parametric study results, the effects of these variables on residual stress distributions are investigated. In particular, the strength mismatch between base metals has an insignificant effect on residual-stress distributions.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.2550-2563
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• 2022

This study performed a precise dynamic finite element time history elastic-plastic seismic analysis considering the welds, which have been not considered in design stage, on the nuclear components subjected to severe seismic loadings such as beyond-design basis earthquakes for sustainable nuclear power plants. First, the dynamic finite element elastic-plastic seismic analysis was performed for a general design practice that does not take into account the welds of the pressurizer surge line system, one of safety class I components in nuclear power plants, and then the reference values for the accumulated equivalent plastic strain, equivalent plastic strain, and von Mises effective stress were set. Second, the dynamic finite element elastic-plastic seismic analyses were performed for the case of considering only the mechanical strength over-mismatch of the welds as well as for the case of considering both the strength over-mismatch and welding residual strain. Third, the effects of the strength over-mismatch and welding residual strain were analyzed by comparing the finite element analysis results with the reference values. As a result of the comparison, it was found that not considering the strength over-mismatch may lead to conservative assessment results, whereas not considering the welding residual strain may be non-conservative.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.30 no.8 s.251
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• pp.931-940
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• 2006

Defect assessment of a weld zone is important in fitness-for-service evaluation of plant components. Typically a J and $C^*$ estimation method for a defective homogeneous component is extended to a mismatched component, by incorporating the effect due to the strength mismatch between the weld metal and the base material. The key element is a mismatch limit load. For instance, the R6/R5 procedure employs an equivalent material concept, defined by a mismatch limit load. A premise is that if a proper mismatch limit load solution is available, the same concept can be used for any defect location (either a weld centre defect or a heat affected zone (HAZ) defect) and for any material combination (either two-material or multi-material combinations; either similar or dissimilar joints). However, validation is still limited, and thus a more systematic investigation is needed to generalise the suggestion to any geometry, any defect location and any material combination. This paper describes the effect of structural geometry on the $C^*$ integral for defective similar welds, based on systematic elastic-creep 2-D and 3-D finite element (FE) analyses, to attempt to elucidate the questions given above. It is found that the existing 'equivalent material' concept is valid only for limited cases, although it provides conservative estimates of $C^*$ for most of cases. A modification to the existing equivalent material concept is suggested to improve accuracy.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.1379-1386
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• 2013

The present work reports the mismatch limit loads for a V-groove welded pipe for a circumferential crack using finite element (FE) analyses. To integrate the effect of groove angles on mismatch limit loads, one geometry-related slenderness parameter was modified by relevant geometric parameters including the groove angle, crack depth, and root opening based on plastic deformation patterns in the theory of plasticity. Circumferential through-wall cracks are located at the centre of the weldments with two different groove angles ($45^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$). With regard to the loading conditions, axial (longitudinal) tension and bending are applied for all cases. For the parent and weld metal, elastic-perfectly plastic materials are considered to simulate and analyze under- and over-matching conditions in plasticity. The overall results from the proposed solutions are found to be similar to the FE results.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2004

This paper provides FE and experimental validation of the defect assessment method for strength mismatched welded structures, resulting from the Brite Euram SINTAP (Structural Integrity Assessment Procedures for European Industry) project. This shows that the proposed method is conservative, and that the degree of conservatism is similar to that embedded in the methods for homogeneous structures. It provides confidence in the use of the proposed SINTAP method for assessing defective weld strength mismatched structures.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.31-36
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• 2004

Defective components of interest include not only homogeneous components, but also components with weldments where tensile properties vary across the weldment. Noting that the region near the weldment is the most vulnerable place for crack initiation and subsequent growth, defect assessment methods for homogeneous structure. Moreover, weldment width and crack location also affects the deformation and fracture behavior of the welded joints. These weld characteristics can evaluate using plastic limit load. So in this paper, evaluate plastic limit load both full circumference part-throughwall cracked pipes and circumference through-wall cracked pipes considering weld characteristics. And using evaluate results, proposed J-integral and crack opening displacement(COD) estimate method based on reference stress method.