Upper-shelf fracture toughness

Other modeling developments include the work of EricksonKirk and EricksonKirk (2006a) on a so-called upper-shelf fracture toughness master curve, and by EricksonKirk and EricksonKirk (2006b) on linking of the Wallin Master Curve in the transition region and the EricksonKirk upper-shelf master curve in a model that predicts the temperature dependence of ferritic steels for both brittle and ductile behaviour. A more detailed discussion of the Master Curve concept and development is available in Planman and Server (2012). 

EricksonKirk M and EricksonKirk M (2006a), An upper-shelf fracture toughness master curve for ferritic steels, International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping, 83,571-583. 

EricksonKirk M and EricksonKirk M (2006b), The relationship between the transition and upper-shelf fracture toughness of ferritic steels, Fatigue Fracture of Engineering Materials Structures, 29, 9-10, 672-684. 

Estimation of fracture toughness from upper-shelf charpy energy and its use in fracture assessment Stress... 

Qualification of weld procedures control that welds and HAZ have properties at least equivalent to the base material (fracture toughness at the start of upper shelf and at operation temperature). 

The tighter bounds on the SAW DDR reduced the uncertainty in the irradiated fracture toughness. This approach was subjected to rigorous peer review before acceptance by the Nuclear Regulator. It was successful in maintaining the margins for on-upper-shelf operation at critical locations. 

Notch Impact toughness Energy Lateral expansion % shear fracture Dynamic T41J/ Vk, Tq3j, use To,89 mm 7 50% Blunt Charpy V-notch (CVN) impact test e.g., ASTM E 23, EN ISO 148. Obtain curve fit to data vs test temperature, determine various transition temperature indices, e.g., T41J, and upper shelf energy (USE). Initiation and propagation test ... 

Fracture toughness of reactor vessel should be appropriately evaluated and the surveillance programme should be suitably established. The reactor vessel beltline materials shall have sharpy upper-shelf energy, as determined from sharpy V-notch tests on unirradiated specimens of 75ft-lb. The extraction period of surveillance specimen should be in compliance with the requirements of Notice 92-20 of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). 

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