Title: Numerical investigation of crack growth in AISI type 316LN stainless steel weld joint using GTN damage model

Authors: N. Sai Deepak; C. Lakshmana Rao; S.A. Krishnan; G. Sasikala; Raghu V. Prakash

Addresses: Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai – 600036, India ' Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai – 600036, India ' Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai – 600036, India ' Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai – 600036, India ' Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai – 600036, India

Abstract: Ductile crack growth in austenitic 316LN stainless steel weld joint has been studied using FEA simulations with Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) damage model. The material specific GTN damage parameters are assessed and calibrated based on coupled experimental and numerical simulations for tensile and compact tension specimens. The influence of initial crack tip at various locations across the weld thickness has been analysed using CT geometry. The simulated results reveal that the crack propagates along the initial crack line for centrally located welds and deviates from the crack line for interfacial welds. The crack growth path for all cases is explained with damage parameters like equivalent plastic strain and void volume fraction.

Keywords: 316LN SS weld joint; structural integrity; interface cracks propagation behaviour; finite element analysis; Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman damage model; equivalent plastic strain; void volume fraction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMSI.2019.100393

International Journal of Materials and Structural Integrity, 2019 Vol.13 No.1/2/3, pp.125 - 143

Received: 11 May 2018
Accepted: 21 Jun 2018
Published online: 28 Jun 2019 *

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