Calculation of stress intensity factors for axial semi-elliptical surface cracks in a pipe with cladding loaded thermally

By means of the weight functions method stress intensity factors were calculated for axial semi-elliptical surface cracks in a pipe with cladding. The component is loaded by a thermoshock. Starting from a stress-free state the inner surface of the cladding is suddenly cooled down. The time-dependent temperature and hoop stress distributions of the uncracked component were calculated for the loading case considered. Numerical values of the stress intensity factors at the deepest point and at the surface points of the crack were evaluated at different time steps for a wide range of crack depths and crack lengths. (orig.)