Effect of Plastic Anisotropy on the Predictive Capacity of Flaw Assessment Procedures

Abstract

The limit load is an essential input parameter of flaw assessment procedures. The present paper deals with an effect of plastic anisotropy on its value. An upper bound solution for three-dimensional deformation of a highly under-matched welded specimen subject to tension is proposed. The base material is assumed to be rigid, and the weld material obeys Hill’s quadratic yield criterion for orthotropic materials. It is demonstrated that it is crucial to account for both plastic anisotropy and three dimensionality of deformation in limit load calculations for flaw assessment procedures.