Analysis and prediction of failure in tubes

A two parameter fracture criterion, developed for flat plates, and subsequently extended to shells containing through thickness cracks has been defined for application to partial penetration defects in cylindrical shells. In addition, the influence of temperature range and chemically induced variation in fracture response has been examined. The method is found to be applicable, although the introduction of more test variables has led to an increase in scatter of the predicted failure stresses when compared with experimental values