THE PLANE-STRAIN, WORK-HARDENING RESPONSE OF CRACKED DUCTILE CYLINDERS

Numerical results of the J-integral are obtained by elastic-plastic fi nite element analysis for an external, axial crack in an internally pr essurized cylinder whose material exhibits a large yield plateau in th e true stress-strain curve. Comparisons are made with the EPRI J-estim ation values by three different Ramberg-Osgood approximations. The yie lding and hardening behaviours in the vicinity of the crack tip under internal pressure are analysed by means of finite element results. Fin ally, the applicability of the EPRI procedure for the material is disc ussed.