Integrity assessment of a 3D tubeplate using the linear matching method. Part 2: creep relaxation and reverse plasticity

In an accompanying paper [Int J Pres Ves Pip, 2004], a 3D tubeplate in a typical AGR superheater header was analysed for the shakedown limit, reverse plasticity and ratchet limit based on the application of the linear matching method (LMM). Both the perfectly plastic model and the cyclic hardening model were adopted for the evaluation of the plastic strain range. In the present paper, based on the creep-reverse plasticity model, the accumulated creep strain during a creep dwell at the steady cyclic state is assessed by the LMM. The accumulated creep strains, the creep flow stresses as well as the elastic follow-up factors with differing dwell times are evaluated in detail. The total inelastic strain over the cycle at the steady cyclic state is calculated. By comparing these results with ABAQUS step-by-step inelastic analyses, the applicability of the methods is demonstrated.