Lapplication of analytical (Sintap) and damage mechanics based numerical simulation for the assessment of (Plastically) hot spots in the ARIANE 5 main stage tank bulkheads

The tank bulkheads of the ARIANE 5 main stage tanks (Figure 1) are subjected to high loading during proof test and operational conditions. This leads to local areas where stresses at or even above yield stress appear. Fracture mechanics predictions based on LEFM are no longer valid in this regime and would considerably overestimate the respective critical crack size. Therefore, elastic plastic fracture mechanics methods have to be applied for the evaluation of the critical crack sizes and the respective NDI limits.