An engineering methodology for constraint corrections of elastic-plastic fracture toughness - Part II: Effects of specimen geometry and plastic strain on cleavage fracture predictions

This work extends a micromechanics model for cleavage fracture incorporating effects of plastic strain to determine the reference temperature, T-0, for an A515 Gr 65 pressure vessel steel based on a modified Weibull stress ((sigma) over bar (w)). Non-linear finite element analyses for 3-D models of plane-sided SE(B) and PCVN specimens define the relationship between (sigma) over bar (w) and J from which the variation of fracture toughness across different crack configurations is predicted. The modified Weibull stress methodology yields estimates of T-0 from small fracture specimens which are in good agreement with the corresponding estimates derived from testing of larger crack configurations. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.