Evaluation of J for a cracked pipe under mechanical and thermal loading

This paper presents a simplified estimation of J parameter for cracked pipes using two methods: the JSA16 method introduced in the A16 guide developed by the CEA for fast breeder reactor and the R6 method. In order to estimate the value of J for cracks in pipes, a complete set of finite element computations was conducted in France by the CEA. The axisymmetrical crack is located in the inner wall of the pipe. The crack depth is one quarter or one eighth of the thickness. The pipe, in austenitic steel or in ferritic steel, is subjected to internal pressure, axial load and linear thermal gradient through the thickness. The finite element results of J were compared to those predicted by the two simplified methods. (authors)