Effects of notch position of the Charpy impact specimen on the failure behavior in heat affected zone

Experimental and numerical studies were performed to examine the effects of notch position on the failure behavior and energy absorption when the Charpy V-notch impact test is made at 1 °C. Carbon steel plate (SA-516 Gr. 70) with thickness of 25 mm usually used for pressure vessel was welded by Shielded Metal-Arc Welding method and specimens were fabricated from the welded plate. The Charpy impact tests were then performed with specimens having different notch positions varying within HAZ. A series of 3-D FE analysis which simulates the Charpy test are carried out as well. The FE analysis takes into account the heterogeneous mechanical properties in HAZ. Results reveal that the absorbed energies during impact test depend significantly on the notch position. Experimentally measured energy is in agreement with computed one when the notch is positioned by 1.5 mm from the fusion line.