Proposal of a new flaw-to-surface proximity rule for the re-characterization of a subsurface flaw into a surface flaw

Lacroix, V.*; Dulieu, P.*; Hasegawa, Kunio

When a subsurface flaw is detected close to the surface of a pressure retaining component, the subsurface flaw shall be transformed into a surface flaw in accordance with flaw to surface proximity rules. This re-characterization process from subsurface to surface flaw is adopted in ASME Code Section XI. The limit value for this proximity rule depends on ratio between the subsurface flaw to the free surface distance and the flaw depth. This limit value does not depend on the flaw aspect ratio. This paper proposes an interaction limit criterion and presents a new limit value for the flaw-to-surface proximity factor, depending on the flaw depth, the remaining ligament and the flaw aspect ratio.