Application of fracture mechanics to the prediction of rupture behaviour of thin cylindrical structures

The paper deals with the prediction of rupture in thin tubing as those of primary piping of LMFBR. Burst tests on part-through cracked tubes in type AISI 304 having an external diameter of 178 mm and a thickness of 6.5 mm have been undertaken at room temperature and 3800C with the following scopes: a) to check the validity of available formulae (R.J. Eiber, J. Dufresne) allowing to predict the rupture of the ligament; b) to check the validity of previous work by the author inspired by Hahn and Rosenfeld work allowing to predict whether the corresponding through crack, consecutive to the ligament rupture, will be stable or unstable. (Auth.)