Numerical study of contact forces for crack closure analysis

Plasticity induced crack closure (PICC) has been widely studied using numerical models. Different numerical parameters can be considered to quantify the opening level, namely one based on the analysis of contact stresses at minimum load. A modified version of this parameter is proposed here, based on nodal contact forces instead of contact stresses. The predictions were found to be similar to those obtained from the contact status of 2nd node behind crack tip. The PICC_contact parameter was also found to be very consistent and adequate for parametric studies of the influence of different physical parameters. The contributions to the opening stress intensity factor of different points along crack flank were found to strongly decrease with distance to crack tip. The cumulative K_open between the crack tip and a distance of 0.1 mm was found to vary from 30% to 100%, increasing with stress ratio, R. Finally, a K solution was developed for punctual forces applied on crack flank and compared with a literature solution for infinite plates. A good agreement was found for plane strain state but significant differences of about 10% were found for plane stress state.