Fracture Toughness Tests

CE671 Lecture 13

Fracture Mechanics
What is Fracture Mechanics?
Mathematical analysis of solids with notches, cracks, or defects

Applied Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) K

Parameter used to assess or predict fracture due to applied stress Characterizes applied stress at notches or cracks K has unusual units
ksi-in or MPa-m

Function of:
Size of crack or flaw Nominal stress away from crack

K as a Material Property
Kc or Kd material fracture toughness
Measure of material resistance to fracture
Kc - static or slow loading Kd - dynamic loading

Similar to yield, E, or any other material property Characterized in terms of applied K at onset of fracture KI, KII, KIII refer to mode of loading

Material Tests to Obtain K

Plane strain fracture toughness
Used to obtain Klc or Kld Specimens sized to approximate plane strain
Thick specimens often required Size required is dependent on Klc

Expensive tests to conduct

Requirements on Thickness
ASTM E 399 K IC
2

K i.e. for y = 50 ksi 1500 CTOD b, B 2.5 IC y thus b, B 5" for typical values K = 100 ksi in CTOD = 0.004 in

All dimensions, a, B, and W are dependent on KIC, which is what is to be measured??

Why is Thickness Important?

Must be thick enough so linear elastic behavior occurs so that effects of plastic zone ahead of crack can be neglected Need to ensure there is a triaxial tensile stress present so shear stress is very low compared to maximum normal stress
Ensures Mode I

Material Tests to Obtain K Contd

Estimated from Charpy Tests (CVN)
Correlation gives dynamic fracture toughness KId

Must convert to KIc for slower load rates Drop the subscript I for plain strain except when K is from a valid fracture toughness test

Compact Tension Test

See ASTM E399

Three-point Bend Test

W/2 See - ASTM E-399

2.1W (Min)

2.1W (Min)

Charpy Testing
Not a direct measure of fracture toughness Excellent for material screening Excellent for quality control Low cost and easy

Will likely remain favored method

Since not a Direct Measure, we Need Correlation between K and CVN

KId= [5(CVN)E]1/2
KId = Dynamic fracture toughness (psi-in1/2) CVN = Charpy energy (ft-lbs) E = Modulus of elasticity (psi)

Valid for lower shelf and lower portion of transition region Note that this yields Dynamic fracture toughness KId

Dynamic Fracture Toughness

Measure of materials resistance to brittle fracture subjected to dynamic loading [(105 ksiin)/sec] (Running Fracture) Bridge load rates are much slower
0.2 to 1.0 sec

Since fracture toughness is affected by load rate, must account for slower loading rates in bridges
Interested in KIc static to slow load rates

Impact Loading Rate Shift

Experimentally shown that slower load rates tend to shift toughness curves to left
i.e., increases toughness

Magnitude of the shift is function of yield strength of material Account for lower loading rate by applying temperature shift

Impact Loading Rate Shift

Absorbed Energy in CVN Test

Slow Bend

Ft-lb shift in uppershelf level

Energy level at which temp. shift is measured

Impact

Temperature shift in transition temp. range Test Temperature

Impact Loading Rate Shift

Calculate temperature shift as:
Tshift = 0.75 (215 - 1.5 ys) 36 ksi < ys < 140 ksi

For common steels:

36 ksi 120 deg F 50 ksi 105 deg F

Barsom & Rolfe includes equations which account for strain rate
Tshift = (150 - ys)(')0.17

Example
Given:
Set of CVN data Steel with ys = 40 ksi

Develop:
KId curve KIc curve

Charpy Testing

Charpy Testing

Example
Step 1 Develop Charpy curve from testing
140 120
Test Data AASHTO Non-fracture Critical AASHTO Fracture Critical

CVN Energy (ft-lb)

100 80 60 40 20 0 -120 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20

20

40

60

80 100 120

Test Temperature (deg. F)

Example
Step 2 Apply relationship - KId= [5(CVN)E]1/2 to convert from CVN to KId
160 140 120
KId Dynamic Load Rate KIc Bridge Load Rate

KIc (ksi - in1/2)

100 80 60 40 20 0 -240 -210 -180 -150 -120 -90 -60 -30 0 30 60 90 120

Temperature (deg. F)

Example
Step 3 Adjust to intermediate load rate Apply temperature shift - Tshift = 0.75 (215-1.5 ys)
160 140 120
KId Dynamic Load Rate KIc Bridge Load Rate

KIc (ksi - in1/2)

100 80 60 40 20

Tshift = 116 F

0 -240 -210 -180 -150 -120 -90 -60 -30

30

60

90 120

Temperature (deg. F)

Effect of Temperature on Fracture Toughness

Fracture toughness decreases with decreasing temperature Bridges are subjected to large temperature variations Minimum service temperature is critical
Related to geographic location

How does Specification address effect of temperature on fracture toughness?

Requires minimum CVN energy at various service temperatures Three temperature zones defined as per AASHTO Indiana is Zone 2

Temperature Zone Designations

Min Service Temperature 0 F and above -1 F to -30 F -31 F to -60 F

Temperature Zone 1 2 3

Minimum Charpy requirements for bridges and buildings

Miminum Service Temperature Material: -18oC Joules@oC Steel: non-fracture critical members*,** Steel: fracture critical members*,** Weld metal for non-fracture critical* Weld metal for fracture critical* AISC: Jumbo sections and plates thicker than 50 mm** SAC: weld metal for seismic applications 20@21 34@21 27@-18 -34oC Joules@oC 20@4 34@4 27@-18 34@-29oC for all service temperatures 27@21oC for all service temperatures 27@16oC below service temperature not to exceed -18oC -51oC Joules@oC 20@-12 34@-12 27@-29

* These requirements are for welded steel with minimum specified yield strength up to 350 MPa up to 38 mm thick. Fracture critical members are defined as those which if fractured would result in collapse of the bridge. ** The requirements pertain only to members subjected to tension or tension due to bending.

Charpy Specifications
To assure ductile/brittle transition temperature is below minimum service temperature Temperature shift (38 C or 70 F) allowed because Charpy test has much higher strain rate than service loads

Questions ?

10