Static and Dynamic Analysis of Flaw Stability in Piping Systems

Abstract

Static and dynamic pretest simulations of a degraded nuclear piping test are performed to investigate crack stability and piping integrity. The purpose of this study is to provide system design guidance for a large-diameter piping test and to gain insight on modeling dynamic crack behavior in austenitic and carbon steel base metal and weldments. Combined operating temperature and pressure plus an idealized seismic loading are applied until substantial crack growth, leakage, or pipe guillotining is predicted. The importance of modeling elbow deformation and plasticity is demonstrated.