Crack tip opening angle measurement through a girth welded in an X100 steel pipeline section

Published

October 2, 2007

Author(s)

Philippe P. Darcis, Christopher N. McCowan, Joseph D. McColskey, Richard J. Fields

Abstract

Crack tip opening angle (CTOA) is becoming one of the accepted methods for characterizing fully plastic fracture. It provides a measure of the resistance to fracture for a material in cases where there is a large degree of stable-tearing crack extension during the fracture process. Our current pipeline research uses the CTOA test as an alternative, or addition, to the CTOD (Crack Tip Opening Displacement) and the fracture energy characterization provided by the J-integral approach. A test technique for measurement of CTOA was developed that uses a modified double cantilever beam (MDCB) specimen. A digital camera and image analysis software were used to record the progression of the crack tip and to estimate the CTOA. In this article, CTOA data on crack growth orientations perpendicular to pipeline girth welds are presented. The CTOA for X100 high strength bainitic gas pipeline steel is reported. Two different specimen gauge sections, 3 mm and 8 mm, are used and the effect of the specimen thickness on the CTOA is discussed. The results show a change in the CTOA as the crack grows into the heat affected zone (HAZ). A slight improvement in the fracture resistance is measured, and through the weld, a slight decrease in fracture resistance is observed.

Citation

Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials & Structures

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

crack tip opening angle, girth pipeline section, welded joints

Citation

Darcis, P. , McCowan, C. , McColskey, J. and Fields, R. (2007), Crack tip opening angle measurement through a girth welded in an X100 steel pipeline section, Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials & Structures (Accessed October 11, 2025)