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In this work the applicability and the accuracy of the hodograph cone method (HCM) for estimating the COD distribution of off-centered cracks in pipe under bending has been verified by means of extensive finite element analysis and experimental investigation. The need to develop appropriated numerical model and the guideline to follows in order to get accurate results is discussed. Experimental measures performed by means of digital image correlation confirmed both the accuracy of the FEM model adopted as well as the robustness of the HCM. A correction for further improvement of the HCM accuracy and extension
to large crack length is also proposed.
KEYWORDS. LBB; Hodograph Cone Method; COD.