Numerical validation of V-factor estimation equations for J calculation under combined mechanical and thermal loadings

This paper presents numerical validation of V-factor estimation equations ⁽¹⁾ for J calculation under combined mechanical(primary) and thermal(secondary) loadings. In finite element (FE) analyses, pipes with a circumferential part-through internal surface crack were considered, and loading sequence effect of primary and secondary loadings was presented. For the case when secondary loading is applied first, followed by primary loading, the V-factor estimation equations provide conservative results regardless of the elastic follow-up factor. For the opposite case, the V-factor estimation equation for moderate elastic follow-up can be partly applicable depending on the geometry and types of secondary loadings, but that for a large elastic follow-up factor provides non-conservative results.