We developed numerical models to efficiently simulate the low-cycle fatigue behavior of a pipe elbow. To verify the model, in-plane cyclic bending tests of pipe elbow specimens were conducted, and a through crack occurred in the vicinity of the crown. Numerical models based on the erosion method and tie-break method are developed, and the numerical results are compared with experimental results. The calculated results of both models are in good agreement with experimental results, and the model

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... using the tie-break method possesses two times faster calculation speed. Therefore, the numerical model based on the tiebreak method would be beneficial to evaluate the strength of piping systems under seismic loadings.