Estimation of Stress Intensity Factor for Circumferential Through-Wall Cracked Elbows Subjected to In-Plane Bending

The stress intensity factor (SIF) is the major fracture mechanics parameter in LEFM concept. Since the SIF can be used for not only calculation of J-integral based on the GE/EPRI and reference stress method but also evaluation of fatigue crack growth, an accurate estimation of the SIF is an important issue for the piping in nuclear power plant. Recently, there is a need to develop the SIF solution which can cover wide geometric variables since...