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Finite element mesh generation for fracture mechanics in 3D coupled with ansys®: elliptical cracks and lack of fusion in nozzle welds

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Abstract

Experience indicates that there are many operating pressure vessels with a lack of fusion defects in their nozzle welds. A fitness for service assessment of such flaws is often required. Due to geometrical complexity, finite element analysis is needed, but inserting a 3D crack mesh in such analysis can be complex and time consuming. To overcome this issue, a C/C++ program capable of generating 3D finite element (FE) meshes for certain common crack configurations found in industry, specifically in the nozzle welds of pressure vessels, was created. This mesh can be perfectly coupled to a FE model in ANSYS® and be adapted to many geometric situations. Tests were performed and the numeric values of the K and J-integral results were compared with known solutions, demonstrating good agreement.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support received from the following research funding Brazilian agencies: CNPq—Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico; and FAPEMIG—Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Equipment Inspection, Petrobras S.A., Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Leandro Souza de Schiara

  2. Department of Structural Engineering (DEES), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Antônio Carlos Av., 6627, Pampulha, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Gabriel Oliveira de Ribeiro

Authors
  1. Leandro Souza de Schiara
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  2. Gabriel Oliveira de Ribeiro
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Correspondence to Gabriel Oliveira de Ribeiro.

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Technical Editor: Lavinia Maria Sanabio Alves Borges.

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de Schiara, L.S., de Ribeiro, G.O. Finite element mesh generation for fracture mechanics in 3D coupled with ansys®: elliptical cracks and lack of fusion in nozzle welds. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 38, 253–263 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-015-0324-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-015-0324-6

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