Accuracy in predictions of burst pressures for cracks in pipelines has significant impact on the pipeline integrity management decisions. One of the fracture mechanics models used for failure pressure prediction is API 579 Level 3 FAD ductile tearing instability analysis that requires J-R curves, i.e., crack resistance curves, for the assessment. However, J-R curves are usually unavailable for most pipelines. To overcome this technical barrier, efforts have been made to estimate the J-R curve indirectly from commonly available toughness data, such as the Charpy V-notched Impact Energy CVN values, by correlating the upper-shelf CVN value (energy) to the ductile fracture resistance J-R curve.
In this paper, the theoretical background and studies made by various researchers on this topic are reviewed. Attempts made by the present study to establish correlations between CVN and J-R curves for linepipe materials are then presented. Application of this CVN-JR correlation to API 579 Level 3 FAD tearing instability assessment for failure pressure predictions is demonstrated with examples. The accuracy of the correlation is analyzed and reported.
