2010 SECTION VIII, DIVISION 2
5-140
5.F.2.6 The internal pressure or mechanical load shall be applied in such increments that the variation of
strain with load can be plotted so as to establish the ratio of stress to load in the elastic range. If the first
loading results in strains that are not linearly proportional to the load, then it is permissible to unload and
reload successively until the linear proportionality has been established. When frozen stress photoelastic
techniques are used, only one load value can be applied in which case the load shall not be so high as to
result in deformations that invalidate the test results. After all instrumentation has been deemed acceptable,
the test should be continued on a strain or displacement controlled basis with adequate time permitted
between load changes for all metal flow to be completed.
5.F.2.7 Linear elastic theory shall be used to determine the design load stresses from the strain gage data.
The calculations shall be performed under the assumption that the material is elastic. The elastic constants
used in the evaluation of experimental data shall be those applicable to the test material at the test
temperature.
5.F.2.8 The extent of experimental stress analysis performed shall be sufficient to determine the governing
stresses. When possible, combined analytical and experimental methods shall be used to distinguish
between primary, secondary, and peak stresses.
5.F.2.9 Stress determined by experimental results shall be evaluated for protection against plastic collapse
using the criterion in paragraph 5.2.2. Protection against cyclic loading shall be evaluated in accordance with
paragraphs 5.5.3 or 5.F.3.
5.F.2.10 Tests conducted in accordance with this paragraph do not need to be witnessed by the Inspector.
However, a detailed report of the test procedure and the results obtained shall be included with the Design
Report. The Report shall show that the instrumentation used was within calibration.
5.F.3 Protection Against Cyclic Loading
5.F.3.1 The adequacy of a vessel or part to withstand cyclic loading may be demonstrated by means of a
fatigue test in lieu of the methods of paragraph 5.5.3. The fatigue test shall not be used, however, as
justification for exceeding the allowable values of primary or primary plus secondary stresses. This procedure
shall not be used when the design temperature exceed the maximum temperature allowed for the fatigue
curves as given in Annex 3.F. This procedure shall not be used when the number of design cycles exceed
50,000.
5.F.3.2 When a fatigue test is used to demonstrate the adequacy of a component to withstand cyclic
loading, a description of the test shall be included in the Manufacturer’s Design Report. This description shall
contain sufficient detail to show compliance with the requirements of this Annex.
5.F.3.3 The test component or portion thereof shall be constructed of material having the same composition
and subjected to mechanical working and heat treatment that result in mechanical properties equivalent to
those of the material in the prototype component. Geometrical similarity must be maintained, at least in those
portions whose ability to withstand cyclic loading is being investigated and in those adjacent areas which
affect the stresses in the portion under test.
5.F.3.4 The test component or portion thereof shall withstand the number of cycles as set forth in paragraph
5.F.3.5 before failure occurs. Failure is herein defined as a propagation of a crack through the entire
thickness, such as would produce a measurable leak in a pressure retaining member.
5.F.3.5 The minimum number of cycles,
T
N , which the component must withstand, and the magnitude of
the loading,
T
L , to be applied to the component during test, shall be determined by multiplying the design
service cycles
N by a specified factor
TN
K and the design service loads
L by a specified factor
TS
K .