Structural Integrity Assessment of Notched Components Using the Master Curve Methodology and Failure Assessment Diagrams

This paper proposes a methodology for the structural integrity assessment of notched components. It combines failure assessment diagrams and a notch analysis approach based on the application of the Master Curve methodology for the prediction of the apparent fracture toughness of ferritic-pearlitic steels in notched conditions. This approach considers a new parameter named the notch reference temperature (T₀^N), which is different from the reference temperature (T₀) obtained in cracked specimens and varies with the notch radius. With this purpose, the methodology has been applied to a set of fracture tests on steel S275JR, with notch radii ranging from 0 mm (crack-type defects) up to 2.0 mm and testing temperatures from −120°C up to 40°C. The methodology improves significantly the results obtained under the assumption that notches behave as cracks.