Application of the Master Curve Approach for Dynamically Loaded Pressure Vessel Steels

The master curve approach is a new concept for a fracture mechanics-based integrity assessment of pressurized engineering construction. It permits the determination of fracture toughness properties with small-size specimens under quasi-static loading conditions. The transfer of the quasi-static master curve approach to dynamical loading like Chapry impact testing would be expedient but is not trivial. In principle, the master curve approach seems to be applicable for dynamic loading. The detailed statistical analysis of the results, however, shows several shortcomings. The test temperature affects significantly the reference temperature, To. With small Charpy-size specimens valid values are only obtained if tested within the upper part of the lower shelf region. Approximately, the experimental results are compatible to the Weibull-distribution of the master curve concept.