The Comparative Analysis and Verification of the Engineering Methods for Considering the Shallow Crack Effect for the Prediction of the Fracture Toughness of the Materials for Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessels

The key features of the fracture of the specimens with shallow cracks are considered, and a brief analysis of the main methods making it possible to predict the temperature dependence of the fracture toughness KJc(T) for shallow cracks is given. These methods include the DA method, (J–Q) method, (J–T) method, “local” methods utilizing multiparameter probabilistic approaches, GP method utilizing the deterministic “power” approach, as well as two engineering methods—RMSC (Russian Method for Shallow Crack) and EMSC (European Method for Shallow Crack). Detailed verification and comparative analysis of these two engineering methods are carried out in respect of the materials of the VVER and PWR nuclear reactor pressure vessels considering the shallow crack effect on the basis of 13 sets of experimental data for domestic and imported steels.