Evaluation of Disk-Shaped Compact Specimen for Determining J-R Curves

Abstract

A set of equations are developed for a disk-shaped compact (DC(T)) specimen to be used in conjunction with ASTM E 1152-87 standard which is for determining J-R curves using rectangular compact specimens. A slightly different disk-shaped tension specimen design (BWDC(T)) is used by B&W Owners Group in their Integrated Reactor Vessel Material Surveillance Program [1] (IRVSP). This specimen is analyzed by a finite element method to investigate whether the standard DC(T) compliance relationship is appropriate for use. Validation tests using both square C(T) and DC(T) specimens were performed and the resulting J-R curves are compared. It is concluded that using this procedure both C(T) and BWDC(T) specimens yield similar J-R curves.