Determination of mixed-mode stress intensity factors for axial crotch corner cracks at cylindrical vessel to nozzle intersections under internal pressure and nozzle loads

Abstract

In this study, Stress Intensity Factors (SIF) of quarter circle and semi elliptic cracks at the crotch corner of the intersection between a cylindrical pressure vessel and a radial nozzle have been computed for combinations of the actions of internal pressure and external forces on the nozzle. Until now, practitioners have used simplified solutions for SIFs available from the literature, such as the Newman-Raju equations for the mode I SIF produced by an internal longitudinal semi-elliptical crack in a cylinder, to approximate the SIF produced at a crotch corner crack. These equations do not take into account the effect of the opening of the cylinder for the nozzle and the resulting stress distribution along the cylinder. As a result, there is uncertainty about the validity of using these simplified solutions in engineering critical assessments and a more exact determination of the SIFs for crotch corner cracks would be beneficial.The mode I, II and III stress intensity factors have been determined for crotch corner cracks for a single size of vessel and are presented as a function of variables such as location on the crack front, crack size and aspect ratio (a/c), crack angle with respect to the axis of the vessel, and the magnitude of internal pressure and external forces. The results are presented in graphical form. The study concludes with the recommendation that the analysis be extended to a wider range of vessel and nozzle parameters.