LEE A. JAMES
Over thirty years of experience devoted exclusively to the application
of fracture mechanics technology to structural components, particularly
in the interface between engineering mechanics and materials science.
Expertise includes experimental characterization of subcritical crack growth
and fracture toughness, analytical prediction of in-service cracking behavior,
plus some involvement in failure analysis of components.
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
June 1998- Present
Independent consultant in the area of fracture mechanics applications,
particularly in the field of environmentally assisted cracking and stress
corrosion cracking. Substantial references and resources are available
in K-solutions for complex structural components, crack growth behavior,
and fracture toughness prperties. Providing support to Pressure Sciences
Incorporated on an as-requested basis.
1987 to May, 1998 - Advisory Engineer
Westinghouse, Bettis Atomic Power Lab.
Consultation on fracture mechanics testing and structural applications,
development of programs to address specific fracture mechanics concerns,
and development of fracture mechanics analysis methods. Responsibility
included all pressure vessel, piping, and structural materials in naval
nuclear power plants, exclusive of core materials. Specific areas
of emphasis included formulating, conducting, and managing programs to
demonstrate mitigation of stress corrosion cracking and environmentally-assisted
cracking concerns in naval nuclear structural components in agueous environments,
and developing analytical / experimental programs to characterize the effects
of constraint upon fracture toughness of structural alloys. Played
a lead role in the formulation and implementation of fracture mechanics
analysis methods, particularly as they related to environmentally-assisted
cracking (EAC). Electrochemical characterization of EAC processes.
Participated in failure analy-ses of service-exposed components.
1970 to 1987 - Fellow Engineer
Westinghouse Hanford Company
Research into the fatigue and fracture characteristics of metals at
elevated temperatures and under aggressive environments, with emphasis
on nuclear environments. Determined the effects of temperature, frequency,
environment, stress ratio, waveform, neutron irradiation and metallurgical
variables on crack propagation behavior of ferritic and austenitic steels
and nickel-base alloys. Investigated the fracture toughness (KIc
and JIc) of structural alloys. Developed experimental and analytical
procedures to apply fracture mechanics to structural analyses. Performed
analyses to predict cracking behavior of reactor components operating under
complex service conditions, prepared PSAR and FSAR sections covering these
analyses, and testified on the findings before hearings of the NRC and
ACRS. Directed stress-corrosion cracking research in support of the
Basalt Waste Isolation Project (long-term storage of high-level nuclear
waste).
1967 to 1970 - Senior Research Engineer
Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific Northwest Lab.
General fatigue and fracture mechanics research. Investigation
of the effects of various service environments on the subcritical cracking
behavior of structural alloys, including steels, aluminum alloys and zirconium
alloys. Developed an experimental technique for obtaining the stress
intensity factor relationship for complex structural shapes.
1965 to 1967 - Research Engineer
The Boeing Company, Commercial Airplane Division
Structural development research on the supersonic transport. Formulation
of analysis techniques and design criteria to use in the analyses of thermal
stresses in complex aircraft structures. Theoretical analyses verified
by extensive high-temperature testing. Structural analyses on 747
jet transport. Determination of structural loads and detailed stress
analysis of mechanisms and associated structures.
1964 to 1965 - Graduate Research Assistant
University of Washington, Mechanical Engineering Dept.
Conducted research into the plastic strain distribution at the root
of a sharp notch. Work was conducted under a research grant from
the Office of Naval Research, Washington, D.C.
1960 to 1964 - Design Engineer
The Boeing Company, Aero-Space Division
Mechanical design of mechanisms for the X-20 Dyna-Soar space glider.
Responsible for the development, design and installation of highly reliable
high-temperature mechanisms. Duties included feasibility studies, stress
analysis, weight studies, heat transfer analysis, and experimental testing.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society for Metals
American Society for Testing and Materials
National Association of Corrosion Engineers
Society of the Sigma Xi (professional scientific research honorary)
NATIONAL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Lee won the ASME Robert J. McGrattan Literature Award for the best paper
in the Journey of Pressure Vessel Technology for 1997. The
paper was entitled "The Effect of Water Flow Rate Upon the Environmentally
Assisted Cracking Response of a Low Alloy Steel: Experimental
Results Plus Modeling."
EDUCATION
BSME, University of Washington, 1959
MSME, University of Washington, 1965
Registered Professional Engineer (Nuclear Engineering)