A generalized force measure of conditions at crack tips

A tentative measure of the forces tending to cause crack growth—the apparent crack extension force—is defined within the framework of continuum mechanics. By an associated fracture criterion initiation of growth may be predicted as well as the direction of preferred growth. The theory is specialized to elastic, viscoelastic and elastic-plastic materials. Under specified conditions the apparent crack extension force may be expressed by surface integrals over the boundary of an arbitrary part of the body for quasi-static deformation and for steady-state propagation of the crack. For plane deformation and for infinitesimal deformation under plane stress conditions these surface integrals reduce to path independent line integrals which include the J integral by Rice[1] and the G integral by Sih[2] as special cases.     

The surface-forming energy release rate based fracture criterion for elastic–plastic crack propagation

The J-integral based criterion is widely used in elastic–plastic fracture mechanics. However, it is not rigorously applicable when plastic unloading appears during crack propagation. One difficulty is that the energy density with plastic unloading in the J-integral cannot be defined unambiguously. In this paper, we alternatively start from the analysis on the power balance, and propose a surface-forming energy release rate (ERR), which represents the energy available for separating the crack surfaces during the crack propagation and excludes the loading-mode-dependent plastic dissipation. Therefore the surface-forming ERR based fracture criterion has wider applicability, including elastic–plastic crack propagation problems. Several formulae are derived for calculating the surface-forming ERR. From the most concise formula, it is interesting to note that the surface-forming ERR can be computed using only the stress and deformation of the current moment, and the definition of the energy density or work density is avoided. When an infinitesimal contour is chosen, the expression can be further simplified. For any fracture behaviors, the surface-forming ERR is proven to be path-independent, and the path-independence of its constituent term, so-called J_s-integral, is also investigated. The physical meanings and applicability of the proposed surface-forming ERR, traditional ERR, J_s-integral and J-integral are compared and discussed. Besides, we give an interpretation of Rice paradox by comparing the cohesive fracture model and the surface-forming ERR based fracture criterion.     

Computation of thermal fracture parameters for orthotropic functionally graded materials using Jk-integral

This article introduces a computational method based on the J_k-integral for mixed-mode fracture analysis of orthotropic functionally graded materials (FGMs) that are subjected to thermal stresses. The generalized definition of the J_k-integral is recast into a domain independent form composed of line and area integrals by utilizing the constitutive relations of plane orthotropic thermoelasticity. Implementation of the domain independent J_k-integral is realized through a numerical procedure developed by means of the finite element method. The outlined computational approach enables the evaluation of the modes I and II stress intensity factors, the energy release rate, and the T-stress. The developed technique is validated numerically by considering two different problems, the first of which is the problem of an embedded crack in an orthotropic FGM layer subjected to steady-state thermal stresses; and the second one is that of periodic cracks under transient thermal loading. Comparisons of the mixed-mode stress intensity factors evaluated by the J_k-integral based method to those calculated through the displacement correlation technique (DCT) and to those available in the literature point out that, the proposed form of the J_k-integral possesses the required domain independence and leads to numerical results of high accuracy. Further results are presented to illustrate the influences of the geometric and material constants on the thermal fracture parameters.     

论M积分和Bueckner功共轭积分之间的关系

对均质各向同性材料、各向异性材料和两相各向同性材料中的裂纹问题各提出一种辅助的位移应力场，证明Ｍ积分和Ｂｕｅｃｋｎｅｒ功共轭积分之间有一种固有的简单关系．这个关系与材料特征根无关，也不受界面裂纹尖端应力振荡奇性的影响．由此证明，Ｍ积分在上述三种情况下，从本质上说来源于Ｂｅｔｉ功互等定理．正像Ｊ积分的本质来源于功互等定理一样．只是辅助的位移应力场不同而已，这说明，Ｂｕｅｃｋｎｅｒ由Ｂｅｔｉ功互等定理提出的功共轭积分是更为一般的路径无关积分．因为，由Ｂｕｅｃｋｎｅｒ积分加上不同的辅助位移应力场可推出任何一种已发表的路径无关积分来．     

The construction and application of an atomistic J-integral via Hardy estimates of continuum fields

In this work we apply a Lagrangian kernel-based estimator of continuum fields to atomic data in order to estimate the J-integral for the analysis of cracks and dislocations. We show that this method has the properties of: consistency between the energy, stress and deformation fields; path independence of the contour integrals of the Eshelby stress; and excellent correlation with linear elastic fracture mechanics theory for appropriately constructed simulations. We discuss the appropriate reference configuration and reference energy for this type of analysis. Lastly, we use canonical examples to demonstrate that the proposed method is a direct and rational approach for estimating the configurational forces on atomic defects.     

压电材料中的Bueckner功共轭积分及和J积分M积分的关系

研究横观各向同性压电材料中裂纹问题,提出了Bueckner功共轭积分在这类材料中的表达式：并通过引出两类辅助的应力-位移-电位移-电势场,证明功共轭积分和这类材料中的J积分和M积分仍然存在简单的两倍关系由此,各类在脆性材料断裂问题中已广泛应用的权函数方法可顺理成章地推广到压电材料的研究中来．这对独立地确定电位移强度因子和经典的I、II型应力强度因子提供了有力的数学上的工具．进而通过计算机械应变能释放率对压电材料中裂纹的稳定做出判断．     

Dynamic Brittle Fracture as a Small Horizon Limit of Peridynamics

We consider the nonlocal formulation of continuum mechanics described by peridynamics. We provide a link between peridynamic evolution and brittle fracture evolution for a broad class of peridynamic potentials associated with unstable peridynamic constitutive laws. Distinguished limits of peridynamic evolutions are identified that correspond to vanishing peridynamic horizon. The limit evolution has both bounded linear elastic energy and Griffith surface energy. The limit evolution corresponds to the simultaneous evolution of elastic displacement and fracture. For points in spacetime not on the crack set the displacement field evolves according to the linear elastic wave equation. The wave equation provides the dynamic coupling between elastic waves and the evolving fracture path inside the media. The elastic moduli, wave speed and energy release rate for the evolution are explicitly determined by moments of the peridynamic influence function and the peridynamic potential energy.     

Combination of fracture and damage mechanics for numerical failure analysis

A new approach for the analysis of crack propagation in brittle materials is proposed, which is based on a combination of fracture mechanics and continuum damage mechanics within the context of the finite element method. The approach combines the accuracy of singular crack-tip elements from fracture mechanics theories with the flexibility of crack representation by softening zones in damage mechanics formulations. A super element is constructed in which the typical elements are joined together. The crack propagation is decided on either of two fracture criteria; one criterion is based on the energy release rate or the J-integral, the other on the largest principal stress in the crack-tip region. Contrary to many damage mechanics methods, the combined fracture⧹damage approach is not sensitive to variations in the finite element division. Applications to situations of mixed-mode crack propagation in both two- and three-dimensional problems reveal that the calculated crack paths are independent of the element size and the element orientation and are accurate within one element from the theoretical (curvilinear) crack paths.     

Associated path independent J-integrals for separating mixed modes

The displacement field in two dimensional elasticity is separated into symmetrical and antisymmetrical parts u_i = u^I_i + u^II_i. These components are new elastostatic fields and lead to two path independent integrals of the J-integral type. The integrals J_I J_II are respectively the symmetrical and antisymmetrical components of the J-integral of Rice: J = J_I + J_II. Use of the associated path independent integrals allows K_I, and K_II to be calculated separately.     

A material force method for inelastic fracture mechanics

A material force method is proposed for evaluating the energy release rate and work rate of dissipation for fracture in inelastic materials. The inelastic material response is characterized by an internal variable model with an explicitly defined free energy density and dissipation potential. Expressions for the global material and dissipation forces are obtained from a global balance of energy-momentum that incorporates dissipation from inelastic material behavior. It is shown that in the special case of steady-state growth, the global dissipation force equals the work rate of dissipation, and the global material force and J-integral methods are equivalent. For implementation in finite element computations, an equivalent domain expression of the global material force is developed from the weak form of the energy-momentum balance. The method is applied to model problems of cohesive fracture in a remote K-field for viscoelasticity and elastoplasticity. The viscoelastic problem is used to compare various element discretizations in combination with different schemes for computing strain gradients. For the elastoplastic problem, the effects of cohesive and bulk properties on the plastic dissipation are examined using calculations of the global dissipation force.     

近场动力学在断裂力学领域的研究进展

近场动力学采用非局部积分计算节点内力, 利用统一数学框架描述空间连续与非连续, 避免了非连续区局部空间导数引起的应力奇异, 数值上具有无网格属性, 可自然模拟材料结构的断裂问题. 本文概述了近场动力学的弹性本构力模型, 系统介绍了近场动力学临界伸长率、临界能量密度以及材料强度相关的键失效准则. 详细介绍了近场动力学在断裂力学领域的研究进展, 包括断裂参数能量释放率与应力强度因子的求解、J积分、混合型裂纹、弹塑性断裂、黏聚力模型、动态断裂、材料界面断裂以及疲劳裂纹扩展等. 最后讨论了断裂问题近场动力学研究的发展方向.      

Anti-plane analysis on a finite crack in a one-dimensional hexagonal quasicrystal strip

The anti-plane fracture problem for a finite crack in a one-dimensional hexagonal quasicrystal strip is analyzed. By using Fourier transforms, the mixed boundary value problems are reduced to the dual integral equations. The solution of the dual integral equations is then expressed by the complete elliptic integrals of the first and the third kinds. The expressions for stress, strains, displacements and field intensity factors of the phonon and phason fields near the crack tip are obtained exactly. The path-independent integral derived by a conservation law equals the energy release rate, which can be used as a fracture criterion for a mode III fracture problem.     

Calculation for path-domain independentJ integral with elasto-viscoplastic consistent tangent operator concept-based boundary element methods

This paper presents an elasto-viscoplastic consistent tangent operator (CTO) based boundary element formulation, and application for calculation of path-domain independentJ integrals (extension of the classicalJ integrals) in nonlinear crack analysis. When viscoplastic deformation happens, the effective stresses around the crack tip in the nonlinear region is allowed to exceed the loading surface, and the pure plastic theory is not suitable for this situation. The concept of consistency employed in the solution of increment viscoplastic problem, plays a crucial role in preserving the quadratic rate asymptotic convergence of iteractive schemes based on Newton's method. Therefore, this paper investigates the viscoplastic crack problem, and presents an implicit viscoplastic algorithm using the CTO concept in a boundary element framework for path-domain independentJ integrals. Applications are presented with two numerical examples for viscoplastic crack problems andJ integrals. The project supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (9713008) and Zhejiang Natural Science Foundation Special Funds No. RC.9601     

Energy theorems and the J-integral in dipolar gradient elasticity

Within the framework of Mindlin’s dipolar gradient elasticity, general energy theorems are proved in this work. These are the theorem of minimum potential energy, the theorem of minimum complementary potential energy, a variational principle analogous to that of the Hellinger–Reissner principle in classical theory, two theorems analogous to those of Castigliano and Engesser in classical theory, a uniqueness theorem of the Kirchhoff–Neumann type, and a reciprocal theorem. These results can be of importance to computational methods for analyzing practical problems. In addition, the J-integral of fracture mechanics is derived within the same framework. The new form of the J-integral is identified with the energy release rate at the tip of a growing crack and its path-independence is proved.The theory of dipolar gradient elasticity derives from considerations of microstructure in elastic continua [Mindlin, R.D., 1964. Microstructure in linear elasticity. Arch. Rational Mech. Anal. 16, 51–78] and is appropriate to model materials with periodic structure. According to this theory, the strain-energy density assumes the form of a positive-definite function of the strain (as in classical elasticity) and the second gradient of the displacement (additional term). Specific cases of the general theory considered here are the well-known theory of couple-stress elasticity and the recently popularized theory of strain-gradient elasticity. The latter case is also treated in the present study.     

任意加载模式下含裂纹超弹性体的能量释放率

能量释放率是表征断裂性能的一个重要指标, 在经典的断裂力学中, 只给出在恒力或恒位移加载情形下通过柔度标定来确定材料能量释放率的公式, 而且仅限于线弹性材料. 但是近年来生物材料和高分子材料(如橡胶) 等超弹性材料的断裂韧性和增韧机理越来越受到研究人员的关注, 该文旨在导出一个更加通用的柔度标定公式, 从而可以确定非线性弹性材料在任意加载模式下的能量释放率, 并能判断裂纹扩展的稳定性. 在推导的过程中, 对一些重要而容易被错误理解的概念做了进一步论述.     

Plane-strain crack problems in microstructured solids governed by dipolar gradient elasticity

The present study aims at determining the elastic stress and displacement fields around the tips of a finite-length crack in a microstructured solid under remotely applied plane-strain loading (mode I and II cases). The material microstructure is modeled through the Toupin-Mindlin generalized continuum theory of dipolar gradient elasticity. According to this theory, the strain-energy density assumes the form of a positive-definite function of the strain tensor (as in classical elasticity) and the gradient of the strain tensor (additional term). A simple but yet rigorous version of the theory is employed here by considering an isotropic linear expression of the elastic strain-energy density that involves only three material constants (the two Lamé constants and the so-called gradient coefficient). First, a near-tip asymptotic solution is obtained by the Knein-Williams technique. Then, we attack the complete boundary value problem in an effort to obtain a full-field solution. Hypersingular integral equations with a cubic singularity are formulated with the aid of the Fourier transform. These equations are solved by analytical considerations on Hadamard finite-part integrals and a numerical treatment. The results show significant departure from the predictions of standard fracture mechanics. In view of these results, it seems that the classical theory of elasticity is inadequate to analyze crack problems in microstructured materials. Indeed, the present results indicate that the stress distribution ahead of the crack tip exhibits a local maximum that is bounded. Therefore, this maximum value may serve as a measure of the critical stress level at which further advancement of the crack may occur. Also, in the vicinity of the crack tip, the crack-face displacement closes more smoothly as compared to the standard result and the strain field is bounded. Finally, the J-integral (energy release rate) in gradient elasticity was evaluated. A decrease of its value is noticed in comparison with the classical theory. This shows that the gradient theory predicts a strengthening effect since a reduction of crack driving force takes place as the material microstructure becomes more pronounced.     

Crack arrest in elastic sheets

The analysis of the motion of a crack of finite length extending in an infinite isotropic elastic sheet loaded in the extensional mode forms the basis for the treatment of the motion and the arrest of a brittle crack in a more general two-dimensional structure of finite size. The energy flow to the cracktip is expressed in terms of the value of the static J-integral times a dynamic function depending on the instantaneous crack-tip velocity. This energy flow is equal to the fracture energy which is supposed to be a specific function only of the crack-tip velocity for a given material. If the energy release (calculated as described) becomes less than the fracture energy in some segment along the prospective fracture path, then additional energy will be needed for the crack to be propagated. Such additional energy is available owing to the kinetic state of the structure. An upper limit to the amount of additional energy is determined. A conservative crack-arrest condition is given by the assumption that all this additional energy is consumed in a continued slow extension of the crack. Experimental results for edge-cracked sheets of polymethylmethacrylate conform well with the crack-arrest condition suggested.     

Selection of finite-element mesh parameters in modeling the growth of hydraulic fracturing cracks

The effect of the mesh geometry on the accuracy of solutions obtained by the finite-element method for problems of linear fracture mechanics is investigated. The guidelines have been formulated for constructing an optimum mesh for several routine problems involving elements with linear and quadratic approximation of displacements. The accuracy of finite-element solutions is estimated based on the degree of the difference between the calculated stress-intensity factor (SIF) and its value obtained analytically. In problems of hydrofracturing of oil-bearing formation, the pump-in pressure of injected water produces a distributed load on crack flanks as opposed to standard fracture mechanics problems that have analytical solutions, where a load is applied to the external boundaries of the computational region and the cracks themselves are kept free from stresses. Some model pressure profiles, as well as pressure profiles taken from real hydrodynamic computations, have been considered. Computer models of cracks with allowance for the pre-stressed state, fracture toughness, and elastic properties of materials are developed in the MSC.Marc 2012 finite-element analysis software. The Irwin force criterion is used as a criterion of brittle fracture and the SIFs are computed using the Cherepanov–Rice invariant J-integral. The process of crack propagation in a linearly elastic isotropic body is described in terms of the elastic energy release rate G and modeled using the VCCT (Virtual Crack Closure Technique) approach. It has been found that the solution accuracy is sensitive to the mesh configuration. Several parameters that are decisive in constructing effective finite-element meshes, namely, the minimum element size, the distance between mesh nodes in the vicinity of a crack tip, and the ratio of the height of an element to its length, have been established. It has been shown that a mesh that consists of only small elements does not improve the accuracy of the solution.     

Determining the thermomechanical characteristics of the separation process

The crack growth condition was obtained in [1, 2] from energy considerations and holds for arbitrary nonlinearly elastic materials. This condition is reduced to determining the trajectory-independent transition from one of the shores of the mathematical cut to the other shore in the J-integral. The time when the J-integral attains the critical value corresponds to the initiation of crack motion. In the present paper, we consider the steady-state strip separation process starting from the fundamental thermodynamic relation. The strip material behavior is determined both at the stage of stable (in general, elastoplastic) loading and at the stage of Drucker unsdtable strain until the time at which the interaction between particles ceases. We single out a domain of unstable material strain, i.e., an interaction layer whose initial width is assumed to be a universal constant of the material [3]. The proposed approach permits expressing the material surface energy via the critical thermomechanical parameters (determined from the complete strain diagram) and the interaction layer thickness. We obtain expressions for the critical values of J-integrals. The critical values of J-integrals [4–6] corresponding to nonlinearly elastic and ideally plastic materials follow from general considerations. We have shown that the possibility of using J-integrals as elastoplastic separation criteria depends on the layer thickness of an irreversibly strained material. If the corresponding thickness is independent of the boundary conditions and the body geometry, then it is possible to use the value of the J-integral as a separation criterion; this corresponds to the Irwin-Orowan quasibrittle fracture approach.     

Two general integrals of singular crack tip deformation fields

The Eshelby tensor E has vanishing divergence in a homogeneous elastic material, whereas the invariance of the crack tip J integral suggests, in accord with known solutions, that the product rE will have a finite limit at the tip. Here r is distance from the tip. These considerations are shown to lead to two general integrals of the equations governing singular crack tip deformation fields. Some of their consequences are discussed for analysis of crack tip fields in linear and nonlinear materials.