Fracture characterisation of reactor core graphite under biaxial loading

Journal article

The role of stress state on the fracture properties of a quasi-brittle material are explored using reactor core Gilsocarbon graphite. The objective of the experiment was to study the initial propagation of cracks. Cruciform specimens have been tested by a biaxial flexural loading method. Pre-slots of 10 mm width and up to a quarter of the depth of the specimen were introduced at the centre of the specimen by electric discharge machining. The slots are located between two through-thickness holes, which are designed to guide crack propagation. A loading jig has been designed and built that allows a range of biaxial loading states to be applied by variation of the length of the loading arms. Clip gauges are used to measure the crack mouth opening displacements. Preliminary tests have studied the fracture of specimens under different loading conditions. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications.

Authors: Liu, D; Mostafavi, M; Flewitt, P; Marrow, T; Smit, D

• Journal: Key Engineering Materials
• Volume: 577-578
• Pages: 485-488
• Publication date: 2014-01-01
• DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.577-578.485
• EISSN: 1662-9795
• ISSN: 1013-9826
• Language: English
• Keywords: Cruciform specimen; Biaxial testing; Fracture; Crack mout opening displacement; Reactor core grapite