Estimations of the C(t)-integral in transient creep condition for pipe with crack under combined mechanical and thermal stress (I) - Elastic-creep -

The C(t)-integral describes amplitude of stress and strain rate field near a tip of stationary crack under transient creep condition. Thus the C(t)-integral is a key parameter for the high-temperature crack assessment. Estimation formulae for C(t)-integral of the cracked component operating under mechanical load alone have been provided for decades. However, high temperature structures usually work under combined mechanical and thermal load. And no investigation has provided quantitative estimates for the C(t)-integral under combined mechanical and thermal load. In this study, 3-dimensional finite element analyses were conducted to calculate the C(t)-integral of elastic-creep material under combined mechanical and thermal load. As a result, redistribution time for the crack under combined mechanical and thermal load is re-defined through FE analyses to quantify the C(t)-integral. Estimates of C(t)-integral using this proposed redistribution time agree well with FE analyses results.