NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Application of elastic and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics methods to surface flawsFuel tanks that are a part of the External Tank assembly for the Space Shuttle are made of relatively thin 2219-T87 aluminum plate. These tanks contain about 917 m of fusion weld seam, all of which is nondestructively inspected for flaws and all those found are repaired. The tanks are subsequently proof-tested to a pressure that is sufficiently severe to cause weld metal yielding in a few local regions of the weld seam. The work undertaken in the present project was to develop a capability to predict flaw growth from undetected surface flaws that are assumed to be located in the highly stressed regions. The technical challenge was to develop R-curve prediction capability for surface cracks in specimens that contain the flaws of unusual sizes and shapes deemed to be of interest. The test techniques developed and the elastic-plastic analysis concepts adopted are presented. The flaws of interest were quite small surface cracks that were narrow-deep ellipses that served to exacerbate the technical difficulties involved.
Document ID
19930047591
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mccabe, Donald E.
(Oak Ridge National Lab. TN, United States)
Ernst, Hugo A.
(Georgia Inst. of Technology Atlanta, United States)
Newman, James C., Jr.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: In: Fracture mechanics; Proceedings of the 22nd National Symposium, Atlanta, GA, June 26-28, 1990. Vol. 1 (A93-31576 11-39)
Publisher: American Society for Testing and Materials
Subject Category
Structural Mechanics
Accession Number
93A31588
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-AC05-84OR-21400
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available