Fracture mechanics analysis of the BIMET welded pipe tests

Within the Fourth Euratom Research Framework Programme 1994 & 1998: Nuclear Fission Safety, the multinational project BIMET was carried out which consisted of bend tests on pre-cracked bi-metallic welds in the form of butt welded pipes and analytical as well as numerical analyses of their fracture behaviour. The present paper reports the application of analytical engineering assessment procedures. The various engineering methods provided very similar results and in spite of the complex nature of the weld they described the fracture behaviour in a very satisfactory manner. The most important lesson learned was that precise and reliable input data are vital to a realistic assessment. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.