Deterministic and probabilistic modelling of brittle fracture mechanisms in ferritic steels

John Knott

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The paper shows how an understanding of the micro-mechanisms of fracture, quantified by deterministic models, can be used to provide a physical basis for probabilistic assessments, particularly when the results of a limited data set have to be extrapolated to low failure probabilities. The variability in results may reflect the effect of random experimental errors in measuring what is essentially a single-valued parameter; it may reflect spatial heterogeneity in the source material; or it may reflect both factors simultaneously. Results obtained for high-quality, pedigree steels and model micro-structures tend to typify homogeneous behaviour, with variability dominated by random experimental errors. More general sampling from structural steels can, however, introduce a further degree of variability, resulting from spatial heterogeneity. This affects the validity of extrapolation of fracture toughness values to low failure probabilities.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)714-724
Number of pages11
JournalFatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials and Structures
Volume29
Issue number9-10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2006

Keywords

  • probabilistic analysis
  • master curve
  • fracture toughness
  • cleavage fracture
  • local fracture stress

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