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Influence of threshold parameters on cleavage fracture predictions using the Weibull stress model

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Abstract

This study explores applications of three-parameter Weibull stress models to predict cleavage fracture behavior in ferritic structural steels tested in the transition region. The work emphasizes the role of the threshold parameters (σth and σw − min) in cleavage fracture predictions of a surface crack specimen loaded predominantly in tension for an A515-70 pressure vessel steel. A recently proposed procedure based upon a toughness scaling methodology using a modified Weibull stress (σ* w) extends the calibration scheme for the Weibull modulus, m, to include the threshold parameters. The methodology is applied to calibrate the Weibull stress parameter for the tested material and then to predict the toughness distribution for the surface crack specimen. While the functional relationship between σ* w and m suggests a strong effect of the threshold stress, σth, on the calibrated m-parameter, the results show a remarkably weak dependence of fracture predictions on σth as does the dependence of fracture predictions on σw−min for this specimen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil

    Claudio Ruggieri

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  1. Claudio Ruggieri
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Ruggieri, C. Influence of threshold parameters on cleavage fracture predictions using the Weibull stress model. International Journal of Fracture 110, 281–304 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010801603304

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