Prediction of the Low Cycle Fatigue Life of Pressure Vessels

The bases for ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, fatigue evaluation procedures, the fracture mechanics approach to fatigue life analysis, and the notch stress analysis method are reviewed. Fatigue life predictions are compared with the results of materials, model, and full size pressure vessel tests performed for PVRC and AEC. These tests were made in response to the research objectives established by ASME Special Committee to Review Code Stress Basis in 1958. A proposed design procedure based on the notch stress analysis method and experimental results is presented.