International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 169 (2019) 160–169

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International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping

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Ratcheting behavior of pressurized-bending elbow pipe after thermal aging T

a a,∗ b a,∗∗
Caiming Liu , Shouwen Shi , Yebin Cai , Xu Chen
a
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
b
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, 525000, China

A R T I C LE I N FO A B S T R A C T

Keywords: Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel elbow pipes were studied experimentally under reversed in-plane load of
Thermal aging 20 kN and constant pressure of 17.5 MPa after thermal aged 1000 h and 2000 h respectively at the same thermal
Ratcheting aging temperature of 500 centigrade degrees (oC). The ratcheting behaviors of pressurized elbow pipes were
Elbow pipe analyzed compared with original elbow pipe. The results indicate that the ratcheting behavior of pressurized
Cyclic plasticity
elbow pipe is prominently affected by thermal aging. The uniaxial tensile properties of Z2CND18.12N austenitic
Finite element method (FEM)
stainless steel were also studied under the same condition of thermal aging. It is shown that yield stress of
material decreases obviously with the increase of thermal aging period. Chen-Jiao-Kim (CJK) kinematic hard-
ening model was used to evaluate the ratcheting behaviors of pressurized elbow pipes under different thermal
aging periods. Simulation results are perfectly agreement with experimental data. Ratcheting shakedown
boundaries of thermal aged elbow pipes were determined by CJK model.

1. Introduction
Primary circuit pipeline system of nuclear power plant plays an
auxiliary effect on the safety of the main pipeline. Its design tempera-
ture and pressure are 343 °C and 17.23 MPa, respectively. In the en-
gineering, influenced by thermal cycling and thermal load, pipes prone
to occur thermal aging effect. Additionally, random vibration, earth-
quake loads and fluid shock are considered in pipeline system design.
When the stress exceeds the yield strength of material, local plastic
deformation will occur. Ratcheting effect is a progressive accumulation
of plastic deformation, which will generate when pipeline is under al-
ternating loads with mean stress for a long time.
In recent years, many scholars have studied the plastic deformation
behavior of straight and elbow pipe components. Chen et al. [1,2]
studied ratcheting behaviors of elbow pipes under different combina-
tions of the internal pressure and bending. It is found the hoop ratch-
eting strains are dominant relative to the axial, and Ohno-Wang (OW)
model with isotropic hardening rule can slightly better evaluate the
ratcheting behaviors of elbow compared with those without isotropic
hardening rule. Chen and Shi et al. [3,4] studied the ratcheting de-
formation behaviors of straight and elbow pipes with local wall thin-
ning by experiment and simulation methods. The results showed that
local wall thinning area in the pipe will produce greater ratcheting
deformation, and it will also affect the ratcheting strains of other
locations. Gao et al. [5] tested the ratcheting strains of straight pipe
using a three-point bending apparatus and compared three ratcheting
shakedown boundary methods of KTA/ASME [6,7], RCC-MR [8] and C-
TDF [9,10]. It is indicated that the C-TDF method with modified Jiang-
Sehitoglu model gives a more reasonable shakedown region. Chen et al.
[11] and Varvani-Farahani et al. [12] comprehensively summarized
recent studies about ratcheting, shakedown boundary, ratcheting in-
teraction with creep, residual stress and fatigue, model parameters ef-
fect and safety codes of constitutive model of pipe from a large number
of previous experiment and simulation works. The ratcheting behavior
and the ratcheting boundary of pressurized Z2CND18.12N stainless
steel straight pipe were experimentally studied under constant internal
pressure and bending moment using three-point bending method by
Wang et al. [13]. The results show that the ratcheting behavior and the
ratcheting boundary are significantly affected by cyclic bending and
internal pressure level. Fatigue ratcheting of TP304 LN stainless steel
straight pipe subjected to steady internal pressure and four-point cyclic
bending was investigated by Vishnuvardhan et al. [14]. It is shown that
hoop ratcheting strain gradually accumulates until failure, whereas
axial ratcheting strain tends to be stable after a few cycles. A non-cyclic
simplified technique was utilized to determine the shakedown limit
load of a cylindrical vessel-nozzle subjected to steady internal pressures
and cyclic in-plane bending moments by Abdalla et al. [15]. Hung et al.
[16] investigated the effect of five different sharp-notched depths on

∗
Corresponding author.
∗∗
Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: swshi@tju.edu.cn (S. Shi), xchen@tju.edu.cn (X. Chen).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2018.12.007
Received 25 September 2018; Received in revised form 4 December 2018; Accepted 15 December 2018
Available online 22 December 2018
0308-0161/ © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
C. Liu et al.
Fig. 1. Specimen specification and its middle cross-section.
mechanical behavior and buckling failure of 304 stainless steel tubes
subjected to cyclic bending with three different curvature-rates. The
results indicate from the relationship between the ovalization and
curvature that a higher notch depth leads to further asymmetry of the
curve.
Many excellent and modified constitutive models for describing the
structure deformation and ratcheting shakedown are also in vigorous
development. A modified kinematic hardening rule based on
Ohno–Wang model was put forward by Chen and Jiao et al. [17,18]. A
biaxial [17] and a multiaxial parameters [18] were proposed to eval-
uate biaxial and multiaxial ratcheting behaviors of material and struc-
ture, and the simulation results can perfectly fit with the experimental
data. The ratcheting shakedown and limit load of a defective pipe under
constant internal pressure and reversed thermal gradient were analyzed
using a linear matching method, which gave an accurate shakedown
boundaries and ratcheting limits [19]. Foroutan et al. [20] gave an
assessment of the axial and hoop ratcheting in pressurized steel elbow
pipes made of austenitic stainless steel, 1020 steel, and 304L stainless
steel by finite element method with Ahmadzadeh-Varvani (A-V) hard-
ening rule. Hassan et al. [21–23] explored the low-cycle fatigue and
ratcheting failure responses of elbow components through experimental
and analytical studies. They compared the simulation effect of seven
different models on ratcheting and ratcheting boundary of elbow. Kang
[24] reviewed recent progresses in ratcheting behavior and constitutive
modeling of the material, and commented the finite element im-
plementation and engineering application of the developed models. A
finite cyclic elasto-plastic constitutive model was developed to describe
the cyclic stress-strain hysteresis loops by a new kinematic hardening
rule and an exponential isotropic hardening rule [25]. The fatigue da-
mage and life of engineering components subjected to variable ampli-
tude service load were studied applying damage parameter based on
earlier developed critical plane-energy [26]. The ratcheting and the
ratcheting fatigue of the thin-walled tube was studied by Yazdani et al.
[27]. Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening model was improved to
evaluate the ratcheting behavior of the tube considering continuum
damage mechanics. Ure et al. [28] described a direct method to
Table 1
Chemical composition of Z2CND18.12N (in wt %).
Chemical composition C Si Mn P S
% 0.025 0.43 1.211 0.021
International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 169 (2019) 160–169
Fig. 2. Uniaxial tension specimen specification cut from elbow pipe.
evaluate the lower and upper bound ratcheting limits and the linear
matching method was verified to determine limit and shakedown load
by comparison with experiments [29]. It is shown that linear matching
method can give a conservative prediction of the limit load, which are
identical to those conventional non-linear finite element analysis
methods. Panagiotou et al. [30] proposed a novel approach to assess the
cyclic behavior of structural components by considering residual stress
decomposition method (RSDM) and residual stress decomposition
method for shakedown (RSDM-S). A comparative study for five dif-
ferent coupled hardening rules was implemented to evaluate the
ratcheting responses of material under different loading paths [31].
The mechanical properties of materials and structures will change
when the pipelines of nuclear power plants are in services at high
temperature for a long time, which will affect the safety of structural
equipment [32–34]. The thermal aging effect is related to the safety and
life assessment of nuclear power pipelines. There are many related re-
searches on the material's thermal aging effect. The thermal aging effect
of 2205 duplex stainless steel was studied by Chen et al. [35]. The re-
sults show that the impact toughness of the material decreases with the
increase of thermal aging time, but the hardness of the material in-
creases. Yao [36] and Li [37] treated Z3CN20.09M duplex stainless
steel by thermal aging. It is found that the tensile strength and yield
strength increase, but the impact toughness decreases. The micro-
structure of the material has changed considerably in a very short
thermal aging time. Weiss et al. [38] have studied the thermal aging
effect of 316 stainless steel. Their research shows that carbides M23C6
and χ , σ , η phases will produce after thermal aging treatment. Liang
et al. [39] treated Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel at thermal
aging temperature of 500 °C and 700 °C from 1 h to 500 h. It is found
that the yield strength of the material decreases with the increase of
thermal aging time, while the tensile strength and elongation do not
change significantly.
However, few researchers considered the influence of thermal aging
on plastic deformation of the pipeline. In previous study, a sister paper
about the effect of thermal aging on ratcheting behavior of Z2CN18.10
Ni Cr Mo N Cu Co
0.003 12.07 17.517 2.388 0.07 0.075 0.035
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Fig. 3. Thermal aging process.

Fig. 4. Experimental facility and location of biaxial strain gauges: (a) experimental facility, (b) location of biaxial strain gauges, (c) uniaxial tensile test.

austenitic stainless steel elbow pipe for primary circuit auxiliary pipe-
line was investigated [40]. For the integrity of the system and the ne-
cessary for research, the present work attempts to explore the ratch-
eting behavior of another commonly used elbow pipe in nuclear power
plant affected by thermal aging. The structural ratcheting is different
from material ratcheting. If the stress is homogeneously distributed in
the structure, it is a pure material-related effect. However, structural
ratcheting can occur even if there is no material ratcheting. It is actually
produced by the inhomogeneous stress state in the structure [41]. The
ratcheting behaviors of Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel elbow

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pipes for primary circuit main pipeline were studied experimentally in

this paper under cyclic reversed in-plane load and constant pressure
after thermal aged 1000 h and 2000 h respectively at 500 °C. The uni-
axial tensile properties of Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel cut
from elbow pipes were also studied. Based on the experimental results,
constitutive parameters of Chen-Jiao-Kim (CJK) kinematic hardening
model were determined [18]. The ratcheting strains and ratcheting
shakedown boundaries of elbow pipes under thermal aging were eval-
uated by CJK model.

2. Specimen specification and material parameters

Two thermal aged elbow pipes were studied in this experiment.

Fig. 1 shows elbow pipe specification, and it consists of elbow and pipe
ends. They are connected together by welding. Elbow pipe's outer
diameter. Do is 76 mm, wall thickness t is 4.5 mm, bending radius R is
95 mm and bending characteristic tR/ rm2 is 0.33, where rm is medium
radius of elbow. Elbow's specification meets the pipeline standards of
Chinese Code GB12459-90. In order to study expediently, its middle
cross-section in different positions is defined by angle from intrados (0
deg) to extrados (180 deg), as shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5. Uniaxial evolution process of Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel cut
The elbow pipe is made of Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel
from elbow pipes under different thermal aging periods.
and its chemical composition (in wt %) is shown in Table 1. The young's

Fig. 6. Ratcheting strain responses of elbow pipe specimens: (a) original, (b) aging time = 1000 h, (c) aging time = 2000 h.

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Fig. 7. Comparisons of hoop ratcheting strain at each location of elbow pipe affected by thermal aging period: (a) intrados (0 deg), (b) 45 deg, (c) crown (90 deg), (d)
135 deg, (e) extrados (180 deg).

modulus, yield strength and ultimate strength of original material is
195 GPa, 300 MPa and 590 MPa respectively. After ratcheting experi-
ment, the uniaxial tension material's specimens were cut from straight
pipe part of elbow pipes along longitudinal direction, as shown in
Fig. 2, where is far away from the plastic deformation zone of elbow
and it does not produce plastic deformation in the process of ratcheting
experiment of elbow pipe. The specimen's gauge length is 20 mm and
cross-section size of gauge is about 5 × 4.5 mm2 .
3. Test system and process
Before the test, the elbow pipes were firstly thermal aging treated in
the heating jacket for 1000 h and 2000 h respectively at the same
thermal aging temperature of 500 °C. Thermal aging process is shown in

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Fig. 8. True wall thickness distributions and equivalent wall thickness cross-section of elbow pipes: (a) true wall thickness distributions, (b) equivalent wall thickness
cross-section.
Fig. 9. Finite element model and load conditions of elbow pipe: (a) finite element model, (b) load conditions.
Fig. 3.
During the experimental process, hydraulic-servo tension-compres-
sion test machine applied load at loading bar making elbow pipe under
reversed in-plane bending load of 20 kN, as shown in Fig. 4(a). Ex-
perimental process was controlled by triangular wave with period of
30 s. Constant internal pressure of 17.5 MPa was applied at inner sur-
face of elbow pipe through another branch of hydraulic system. Before
the test, the elbow was filled with hydraulic oil. The internal pressure
was supplied by the extrusion of the hydraulic valve of the hydraulic
device during the tests at room temperature. In the test procedure of
uniaxial tensile properties of Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel,
hydraulic-servo tension-compression test machine applied monotonous
displacement load with a loading rate of 0.02 mm/s, extensometer was
utilized to measure strain responses of the specimens, as shown in
Fig. 4(c).
The ratcheting strain is defined as:
εmax + εmin
εr =
2 (1)
where εmax and εmin are the maximum strain and the minimum strain
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International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 169 (2019) 160–169
respectively in a cycle.
In order to explore the strain evolution in different locations of
elbow along with the number of cycles, biaxial strain gauges were ad-
hered at middle cross-section of elbow pipe at intrados (0 deg), 45 deg,
crown (90 deg), 135 deg and extrados (180 deg) respectively, as shown
in Fig. 4(a) and (b). The strain signals were real-time acquired by strain
control instrument as a computer auxiliary-controlled system.
4. Experiment results and analysis
4.1. Uniaxial tensile properties of material
Fig. 5 shows the uniaxial tensile curve of Z2CND18.12N austenitic
stainless steel cut from elbow pipes under different thermal aging
periods. Among them, the experiment data of original material is from
Ref. [4]. Compared with original specimen, young's modulus of mate-
rial does not change with thermal aging period. However, yield strength
decreases with the increase of thermal aging period. In the initial stage
of thermal aging, yield strength reduces more significantly relative to
the next stage from 1000 h to 2000 h. The yield strengths of original
C. Liu et al.
Fig. 10. Simulation results of uniaxial tension curves of Z2CND18.12N auste-
nitic stainless steel under different thermal aging periods.
and aged material are 300 MPa, 240 MPa and 220 MPa respectively
according to experiment results. In a word, material is easier to enter
the plastic deformation stage after thermal aging. These response re-
sults of uniaxial tensile properties along with thermal aging period are
consistent with reference [39].
4.2. Ratcheting strain responses of elbow pipe specimens
Fig. 6(a), (b) and (c) show ratcheting strain responses of original,
aged 1000 h and 2000 h elbow pipe specimens respectively. Among
them, the ratcheting strain results of original elbow pipe (Fig. 6(a)) is
from Ref. [4]). Generally, no matter how long the elbow pipe was
thermal aged, hoop ratcheting strains of all locations are greater than
the axial-direction and hoop ratcheting strain of intrados (0 deg) has
the largest value, followed by the location of crown (90 deg) and 45
deg. Hoop ratcheting strains at 135 deg, extrados (180 deg) and axial
ratcheting strains of all locations always stay at a lower level. Axial
ratcheting strain at extrados (180 deg) accumulates gradually along the
negative y-direction. The ranking of hoop ratcheting strain is intrados
(0 deg) > crown (90 deg) > 45 deg > 135 deg > extrados (180
deg). Overall, The evolution processes of both hoop and axial ratcheting
strains are divided into two stages. In the initial stage, ratcheting strains
grow fiercely at a higher ratcheting strain rate, in the second stage
about 30 cycles later, ratcheting strains grow steadily with a lower
constant ratcheting strain rate. In short, thermal aging period does not
change the distributive law of ratcheting strains of all location in elbow
pipe's middle cross-section. However, the ratcheting strain of each lo-
cation under different thermal aging periods is significantly different.
The differences of ratcheting strains caused by thermal aging period
will be analyzed in detail in the following sections.
4.3. Comparisons of ratcheting behaviors of original and aged elbow pipes
It can be concluded from the analysis above, axial ratcheting strain
is secondary compared with hoop ratcheting of elbow pipe in all loca-
tions. So this section only concerns the comparisons of hoop ratcheting
behaviors of elbow pipes under different thermal periods. Fig. 7(a) – (e)
show the comparisons of hoop ratcheting strain at each location of
elbow pipe affected by thermal aging period. It is indicated that
ratcheting strain of original elbow pipe at each location always has the
lowest value compared with thermal aged elbow pipe. Elbow pipe has
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International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 169 (2019) 160–169
the highest ratcheting strain when it is thermal aged for 2000 h and the
ratcheting strain of elbow thermal aged for 1000 h keeps a medium
level. Taking hoop ratcheting responses of intrados (0 deg) as an ex-
ample for more detailed instructions, as shown in Fig. 7(a). When
number of cycles is about 40, hoop ratcheting strains of original, aged
1000 h and 2000 h elbow pipes approximately achieve 1.9%, 3.0% and
3.7% respectively. Also the hoop ratcheting strains at other location of
45 deg, crown (90 deg), 135 deg and extrados (180 deg) present the
same change trend. In short, hoop ratcheting strain of elbow pipe at
each location increases with the increase of thermal aging period. The
cause of this phenomenon is that micro-structure and macro properties
of Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel has been changed in the
process of thermal aging, and eventually lead to the differences of
ratcheting behavior of structure. The effect of thermal aging on this
material's properties has been studied by Liang et al. [39], they at-
tributed this effect to some precipitates.
In the chemical industry, especially in nuclear power plant, piping
systems are influenced by thermal load for a long time, and thermal
aging effect must be closely concerned, which might result in premature
failure of pipeline.
5. Numerical simulation process
5.1. Finite element model
After experiment, the wall thickness sizes of elbow pipes in the
middle cross-section were measured as the same naming rule of loca-
tion (from −180 deg to 180 deg), as shown in Fig. 8(a). It shows that
the wall thickness of elbow pipe specimen is not a constant of 4.5 mm,
which waves in the near of 4.5 mm. According to the true wall thickness
distributions of elbow pipes, the equivalent wall thickness cross-section
were depicted as the average wall thickness of two elbow pipes, as
shown in Fig. 8(b).
In this section, solid45 element was adopted to simulate finite ele-
ment model of elbow pipe. The whole model was simplified as com-
pletely symmetrical about X-Y plane without consideration of inlet and
exhaust joint pipe on one side of elbow pipe. Its cross-section uses
equivalent wall thickness section as shown in Fig. 8(b). Fig. 9(a) shows
the finite element model, the meshes of elbow part were local refined.
Fig. 9(b) shows the load conditions. All the inner surfaces of the pipe
(including two inner ends and inner torus) were selected, and the in-
ternal pressure of 17.5 MPa was applied. A pair of longitudinal and
transverse intersecting lines at one outer end of the elbow pipe was
fully displacement constrained, and a cyclic Y-direction load of ± 20 kN
was applied at another pipe end.
5.2. Chen-Jiao-Kim (CJK) model and constitutive parameters
In this paper, Chen-Jiao-Kim (CJK) kinematic hardening model [18]
as a subroutine of ANSYS was used to evaluate the ratcheting behaviors
of pressurized elbow pipes under different thermal aging periods. The
CJK model was an improved Ohno-Wang model and a new multiaxial
parameter χi was proposed as an improved parameter of Ohno-Wang
kinematic hardening rule. The introduction of χi into CJK model is
equivalent to the second adjustment of multiaxial ratcheting, so the
simulation effect will be more perfect. As for the comparison between
CJK and other models, such as A-V model and McDowell model, etc.,
some scholars have studied [12,18] and CJK model also reflects the
advantages.
The back stress of CJK model is
M
α= ∑ αi (M = 6)
i=1 (2)
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Fig. 11. Comparisons of the experimental data and the predicted results of elbow pipes by CJK model: (a) original, (b) aging time = 1000 h, (c) aging time = 2000 h.

m
2 α α i α respectively. χi is a multiaxial parameter and it can second regulate the
dαi = γi ⎡ ri dεp − 〈n′: i 〉 χi ⎛ i ⎞ αi 〈dεp: i 〉⎤
⎜ ⎟
⎢3 α r αi ⎥ (3) evolution rate of multiaxial ratcheting. It is the last parameter to be
⎣ i ⎝ i⎠ ⎦
determined. Adjusting the value of χi found that, when χi = 0.1, the
dε p 3 simulation results and test results are more appropriate. The method of
where χi is a multiaxial parameter. n′ = dp
= 2σ0
(s− α ),
_ determining CJK constitutive parameters has also been mentioned by
αi = 3/2αi: αi . The final constitutive parameters of elbow pipe are:
predecessors [3,18,31].
E = 1.95 × 105MPa , ν = 0.3, yield stress σOriginal = 300MPa ,
The basic solution of the CJK model is radial return algorithm
σ1000h = 240MPa , σ2000h = 220MPa ; r1 − 6 : 9.77, 13.29, 18.52, 8.92, 16.40,
(implicit solution). It is considered that all internal variables and plastic
156.64; γ1 − 6 : 3344, 1669, 680, 304, 121, 20; mi − Original = 4.5,
strains are implicit expressions. The constitutive equations are trans-
mi − 1000h = 6.4 , mi − 2000h = 7 ; χi = 0.1. Yield strength σs decreases and
formed into a set of nonlinear algebraic equations. Refer to the method
hardening index m increases along with the thermal aging period.
in Ref. [42], the system of partial differential equations is transformed
r1 − 6 and γ1 − 6 were obtained from uniaxial tension curves of original
into a single scalar (plastic multiplier) mathematical equation. It can be
Z2CND18.12N specimen. It reflects the evolution trend of stress-strain
solved by Newton Raphson iteration. Moreover, in the process of finite
of the material. Its determination methods are shown in Ref. [31].
element realization, a consistent tangent modulus is derived to accel-
Seven segments were divided in the evolution curve of stress and plastic
erate the solution.
strain. The stress-strain evolution trend of original and aged material is
the same, but the yield stresses are different. The yield stresses de-
termined by 0.2% plastic strain are σOriginal = 300MPa , σ1000h = 240MPa, 5.3. Numerical simulation and analysis
σ2000h = 220MPa , respectively. Power exponent mi can regulate the
evolution rate of uniaxial and multiaxial ratcheting. The ratcheting 5.3.1. Uniaxial tension simulation of material
evolution rates of the original and aged elbows are obviously different. Fig. 10 shows the simulation results of uniaxial tension curves of
By constantly adjusting the value of mi , the experimental and simula- Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel under different thermal aging
tion results of original and aged elbows gradually tend to coincide. The periods. It is observably seen that the simulation results and experi-
final values are mi − Original = 4.5, mi − 1000h = 6.4 , mi − 2000h = 7 , mental data can be a perfect match. The simulation results show a

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Fig. 12. Ratcheting shakedown boundaries of elbow pipes at intrados (0 deg)
under different thermal aging periods.
reasonable evolution regularity of the basic material properties of
Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel compared with experiment.
5.3.2. Ratcheting strain simulation of elbow pipe
The comparisons of hoop ratcheting strains of the experimental data
and the predicted results of elbow pipes under different thermal periods
are shown in Fig. 11(a), (b) and (c). The results indicate that the si-
mulation results of hoop ratcheting strains at intrados (0 deg), 45 deg
and crown (90 deg) have a better agreement with experiment data.
However, the simulation results of hoop ratcheting strains at 135 deg
and extrados (180 deg) are relatively low. In general, both original and
thermal aged elbow pipes, CJK model is reasonable for prediction re-
sults of hoop ratcheting strains of elbow pipes at different locations
under reversed in-plane bending load of 20 kN and constant internal
pressure of 17.5 MPa.
5.4. Ratcheting shakedown boundary
According to ASME definition, “Shakedown of a structure occurs if,
after a few cycles of load application, ratcheting ceases. The subsequent
structural response is elastic, or elastic-plastic, and progressive incre-
mental inelastic deformation is absent”. A finite element method to
determine ratcheting shakedown boundary was proposed by The
Committee of Three Dimensional Finite Element Stress Evaluation (C-
TDF) of Japan [9,10]. The criterion is that, ‘Variations in equivalent
plastic strain at the end of each cycle should have a deceasing trend and
become lower than the allowable limit of 10−4/cycle.’ The number of
cycles required to achieve this value is not specified, but usually five or
ten cycles are needed.
According to the experiment results above, hoop ratcheting strain of
intrados (0 deg) has the largest value compared with other locations. It
is a dangerous point in engineering practice. So this study only evalu-
ates ratcheting shakedown boundary of intrados (0 deg) by adopting
CJK model combined with C-TDF method. The evaluation process is
that the increment of equivalent plastic deformation decreases with
cycles, and no more than 10−4 just in the 10th cycle. In this process,
combinative internal pressure P and bending load amplitude F were
evaluated to determine ratcheting shakedown boundary, as shown in
Fig. 12. The results indicate that when load conditions below the curves
of ratcheting shakedown boundary, elbow pipe can maintain
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International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 169 (2019) 160–169
shakedown state. Original elbow pipe has a higher ratcheting shake-
down boundary. Ratcheting shakedown boundary decreases with the
increase of thermal aging period and load bearing capacity of elbow
pipe becomes weaker after thermal aging. However, the gap of ratch-
eting shakedown boundary between original and thermal aged elbow
pipe for 1000 h is greater than that from 1000 h to 2000 h. That is to
say, thermal aging effect on the performance of the material in the
initial stage is more significant than the subsequent aging process.
6. Conclusions
In this paper, the ratcheting behaviors of pressurized elbow pipes
made of Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel were studied experi-
mentally under different thermal aging periods of 1000 h and 2000 h at
thermal aging temperature of 500 °C respectively. Chen-Jiao-Kim (CJK)
kinematic hardening model was used to evaluate ratcheting behaviors
of pressurized elbow pipes. And the ratcheting shakedown boundaries
were determined by CJK model. The conclusions are as follows:
(1) Both the original and thermal aged elbow pipes, hoop ratcheting
strain of each location in middle cross-section is always sig-
nificantly greater than the axial direction. Hoop ratcheting strain at
intrados (0 deg) has the highest ratcheting strain rate and reaches
the largest value compared with other locations.
(2) Young's modulus of Z2CND18.12N austenitic stainless steel is
hardly affected by thermal aging. Yield strength of material de-
creases and hoop ratcheting strains of elbow pipes at each location
significantly increase with thermal aging period.
(3) Chen-Jiao-Kim (CJK) kinematic hardening model can better eval-
uate the ratcheting behaviors of elbow pipes under different
thermal aging periods. Simulation results can perfectly agree with
test data. Ratcheting shakedown boundaries were determined by
CJK model, the curve of ratcheting shakedown boundary decreases
with the increase of thermal aging period.
Acknowledgment
The authors are grateful for the financial support from the National
Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51435012).
Appendix A. Supplementary data
Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2018.12.007.
References
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