The objective of the present study is to understand the fatigue crack growth behavior in austenitic
stainless steel pipes and pipe welds by carrying out analysis/predictions and experiments. The Paris law
has been used for the prediction of fatigue crack growth life. To carry out the analysis, Paris constants
have been determined for pipe (base) and pipe weld materials by using Compact Tension (CT) specimens
machined from the actual pipe/pipe weld. Analyses have been carried out to predict the fatigue crack
growth life of the austenitic stainless steel pipes/pipes welds having part through cracks on the outer
surface. In the analyses, Stress Intensity Factors (K) have been evaluated through two different schemes.
The first scheme considers the ‘K’ evaluations at two points of the crack front i.e. maximum crack depth
and crack tip at the outer surface. The second scheme accounts for the area averaged root mean square
stress intensity factor (KRMS) at deepest and surface points. Crack growth and the crack shape with
loading cycles have been evaluated. In order to validate the analytical procedure/results, experiments
have been carried out on full scale pipe and pipe welds with part through circumferential crack. Fatigue
crack growth life evaluated using both schemes have been compared with experimental results. Use of
stress intensity factor (KRMS) evaluated using second scheme gives better fatigue crack growth life
prediction compared to that of first scheme. Fatigue crack growth in pipe weld (Gas Tungsten Arc
Welding) can be predicted well using Paris constants of base material but prediction is non-conservative
for pipe weld (Shielded Metal Arc Welding). Further, predictions using fatigue crack growth rate curve of
ASME produces conservative results for pipe and GTAW pipe welds and comparable results for SMAW
pipe welds.