Finite element based multi-scale ductile failure simulation of full-scale pipes with a circumferential crack in a low carbon steel

This paper describes multi-scale based ductile fracture simulation using finite element (FE) damage analysis. The maximum and crack initiation loads of cracked components were predicted using proposed virtual testing method. To apply the local approach criteria for ductile fracture, stress-modified fracture strain model was adopted as the damage criteria with modified calibration technique that only requires tensile and fracture toughness test data. Element-size-dependent critical damage model is also introduced to apply the proposed ductile fracture simulation to large-scale components. The results of the simulation were compared with those of the tests on SA333 Gr. 6 full-scale pipes at 288°C, performed by the Battelle Memorial Institute.