Simulation of stress corrosion crack growth in steam generator tubes

Assuming a small axial surface crack inside a steam generate (S/G) tube, stress corrosion crack growth is simulated by using finite element method. Pressure difference and residual stresses induced from the roll expansion are considered as applied forces and Scott's crack growth equation based on the stress intensity factor is used. Stress intensity factor distribution along crack front, variation of crack shape and crack growth rate are obtained during the crack growth. From the results, it is noted that for the given residual stress distribution, variation curve of the crack aspect ratio during the crack growth is uniquely determined. In addition, the curve shows nearly constant crack aspect ratio during the initial crack growth stage. When adjacently growing two small cracks are coalesced to form a longer crack, the growth rate of crack depth is increasing but that of crack length is decreasing, and the crack aspect ratio is converging to the original variation curve during the subsequent crack growth.