Method for assessing the effect of crack-like defects on the performance of high-pressure cylinders

The paper presents the results of verification calculation on the crack resistance of a high-pressure cylinder taken out of service due to the detection of crack-like defect. The critical dimensions of cracks, at which brittle failure of the cylinder can occur, and the safety coefficient of the cylinder in terms of crack resistance, are determined. Based on the provisions of linear fracture mechanics, back in the XIX century it was established that the causes of the failure of high-strength materials are crack-like defects of the operational or the technological origin. The causes of these defects can be operational impacts (vibration, cyclic loading and aggressive environments) and design and technological factors (welding, rolling, heat treatment, etc.). One of the actual problems of theoretical and experimental research of reliability of structural materials in industrial equipment is to study influence of the internal and the surface semi-elliptic cracks on safety of their operation.