Determination of J-R Curve for X60 Pipeline Steel Using SENT Specimens and Normalization Method

The normalization method is adopted in this paper to determine J-R curves for X60 pipeline steel using single-edge notched tension (SENT) specimens. A resistance curve procedure associated with the normalization method is developed to estimate crack extension, calculate crack growth corrected J-integral and generate a J-R curve directly using load-displacement data from a single test on SENT specimens. Based on experimental data for a typical pin-loaded SENT specimen, J-R curve for X60 pipeline steel is obtained by the normalization method and the conventional elastic unloading compliance method. The results show that the normalization method is simple and cost-effective, and can obtain J-R curves equivalent to the unloading compliance method in use of SENT specimens.