Development of Fracture Toughness using SENT specimens and Validation Tests on Large Strained Pipeline Weldment

Fracture toughness is one of most important parameters to evaluate the mechanical properties of materials. The recent significant application has been developed to assess the integrity of offshore structures such as subsea pipeline laying and operation. The present work is aiming to provide a full data input including J-R curves for Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) pipeline girth weld at various situations like weld joint cap, HAZ, room and design temperatures, most importantly to develop a technique of testing to validate the ECA output. A series test of fracture toughness was conducted using Single Edge Notch Tensile (SENT) specimen to generate the J-R curves as input for ECA on large strained pipeline. As outcome, the tolerable flaw size was calculated for pipe laying. Validation test of calculated flaw size using wide plate specimen was developed based on pipeline operating requirement. The result showed ECA conservation and soundness of weld joint was confirmed