Data Entry Area for Load Cases when the ASME VIII Div.3 crack growth model is selected. Individual Load Cases or Cycles are entered in the data entry area, and the user clicks "Add New" to enter the Load Case to the database. The table below this data entry area is populated with the Load Case information.

Analysis Case

Select which Analysis Case (FEA Nodal Values Profile) that the Load Case applies to.

Load Case Description

Enter a descriptor for the Load Case.

Num of Cycles per Year

Enter in the number of load cycles per year for this case

Load Case Start (Years)

Enter the time when the load case will start in years.

Load Case End (Years)

Enter the time when the load case will end in years.

% of Maximum Stress

Enter in percent of maximum FEA stress to be used in the crack growth assessment. The load cycle stress intensity factor is scaled using this percentage value. This allows the user to determine the flaw's sensitivity to the maximum stress values entered, without having to re-enter FEA profiles. This value is used in the KI,Max for the load cycle and ultimately in the stress correction ratio, RK.

Enter a value from 0 to 100. 

% of Stress Range

Enter in percent of the range of FEA stress to be used in the crack growth assessment. The range of load cycle stress intensity factor, ΔKI, is scaled using this value. This allows the user to change the stress ranges without having to re-enter FEA profiles, ΔKI is used to compute crack growth for each load cycle (da/dn).

Enter a value from 0 to 100. 

Minimum Crack Opening Pressure

Enter the minimum pressure during a load cycle in the requested units. The maximum and minimum pressure are used to calculate the ΔKI due to pressure. ΔKI is used to compute crack growth for each load cycle (da/dn).

Maximum Crack Opening Pressure

Enter the maximum pressure during the load cycle in the requested units. The maximum and minimum pressure are used to calculate the ΔKI due to pressure. ΔKI is used to compute crack growth for each load cycle (da/dn).

Add New

Once the data has been entered for a new load cycle, this button will enter it into the load cycle table.

Update

After "Selecting" a load cycle, this button will be enabled. When edits are complete for the load cycle, this button will save the edits.

Delete

After "Selecting" a load cycle, this button will be enabled. Click this button to delete a load cycle.

Clear

Clears the input controls. This button does not modify the entered load cycle in the table.