The advanced simulation of fatigue crack growth in complex 3D structures

An advanced incremental crack growth algorithm for the three-dimensional (3D) simulation of fatigue crack growth in complex 3D structures with linear elastic material behavior is presented. To perform the crack growth simulation as effectively as possible an accurate stress analysis is done by the boundary-element method (BEM) in terms of the 3D dual BEM. The question concerning a reliable 3D crack growth criterion is answered based on experimental observations. All criteria under consideration are numerically realized by a predictor–corrector procedure. The agreement between numerically determined and experimentally observed crack fronts will be shown on both fracture specimens and an industrial application.     

弹塑性疲劳微弯裂纹尖端塑性区问题

主要研究疲劳载荷作用下弹塑性裂纹弯曲延伸扩展问题.通过分析论证,比较精确地研究了疲劳载荷作用下弯曲延伸裂纹尖端塑性区域边界上交变应力的分布状况.综合考虑了疲劳作用应力,塑性区域交变应力,利用二阶摄动方法,研究计算了弯曲延伸裂纹尖端塑性区域的范围,并预测了疲劳载荷作用下弹塑性裂纹扩展路径.     

An investigation about interference fit effect on improving fatigue life of a holed single plate in joints

In this article, the effect of interference fit on fatigue life of holed plate of mechanical joints was investigated both experimentally and numerically. In the experimental part, fatigue tests were carried out on the holed specimens of Al 7075-T6 alloy in which oversized steel pins were force fitted to them. These fatigue tests were conducted on open hole specimen and specimens with 1, 1.5, 2 and 4% nominal interference fit sizes at different cyclic longitudinal loads. From these tests the stress-life (S–N) data for different interference fit sizes were obtained. The results show that interference fit increases fatigue life compared to open hole specimens. In the numerical part of the investigation, 3D finite element simulations have been performed to obtain stress (or strain) histories and distributions around the hole due to interference fit and subsequent cyclic longitudinal loading using FEM package. The stress history from finite element (FE) simulation was used to explain the reason for fatigue life improvement in the interference fitted specimens.     

QALE‐FEM for modelling 3D overturning waves

A further development of the QALE‐FEM (quasi‐arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian finite element method) based on a fully nonlinear potential theory is presented in this paper. This development enables the QALE‐FEM to deal with three‐dimensional (3D) overturning waves over complex seabeds, which have not been considered since the method was devised by the authors of this paper in their previous works (J. Comput. Phys. 2006; 212 :52–72; J. Numer. Meth. Engng 2009; 78 :713–756). In order to tackle challenges associated with 3D overturning waves, two new numerical techniques are suggested. They are the techniques for moving the mesh and for calculating the fluid velocity near overturning jets, respectively. The developed method is validated by comparing its numerical results with experimental data and results from other numerical methods available in the literature. Good agreement is achieved. The computational efficiency of this method is also investigated for this kind of wave, which shows that the QALE‐FEM can be many times faster than other methods based on the same theory. Furthermore, 3D overturning waves propagating over a non‐symmetrical seabed or multiple reefs are simulated using the method. Some of these results have not been found elsewhere to the best of our knowledge. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening model: calibration methodology and validation

This work studies how a nonlinear kinematic model aimed for cyclic plasticity could be put into effect and used within a FEM code. A correct modeling of cyclic elasto-plastic behavior can be exploited in low-cycle fatigue life investigation as well as in manufacturing problems related to springback prediction. The chosen formulation has been proposed by Chaboche, and it is implemented in most of the commercial codes used for nonlinear FEM simulations. At first, a procedure for the proper identification of unknown material model parameters has been put forward. This calibration, based on the data collected from experimental low-cycle fatigue tests, has been performed by means of an inverse method. Laboratory tests differ according to the type of material under investigation. A classification can be operated distinguishing between specimens obtained from bulk materials or from sheet metals. For the former, standard tension-compression tests have been performed, while for the latter, a dedicated testing equipment for three-point bend cyclic tests has been devised. Then, further experimental tests have been run to check model transferability: different strain per cycle amplitudes, asymmetric strain cycling and different stress triaxiality levels have been investigated. For each of these tests, experimental vs. FEM results have been analyzed to show the level of agreement that has been reached.     

New approach based on continuum damage mechanics with simple parameter identification to fretting fatigue life prediction

A new continuum damage mechanics model for fretting fatigue life prediction is established. In this model, the damage evolution rate is described by two kinds of quantities. One is associated with the cyclic stress characteristics obtained by the finite element(FE) analysis, and the other is associated with the material fatigue property identified from the fatigue test data of standard specimens. The wear is modeled by the energy wear law to simulate the contact geometry evolution. A two-dimensional(2D) plane strain FE implementation of the damage mechanics model and the energy wear model is presented in the platform of ABAQUS to simulate the evolutions of the fatigue damage and the wear scar. The effect of the specimen thickness is also investigated. The predicted results of the crack initiation site and the fretting fatigue life agree well with available experimental data. Comparisons are made with the critical plane SmithWatson-Topper(SWT) method.     

Effects of mixed-mode overloading on the mixed-mode I+II fatigue crack growth

In this study, the finite element modeling of the compact tension shear specimens has been used to evaluate the effects of overloading on fatigue crack growth with mixed-mode loading I+II. Element creation and modeling is done by CASCA software. FRANC2D was used for stress analysis and the determination of crack parameters. Life estimation of samples was done by using the software ETBX. To create the mixed-mode I+II, different loading angles of 0, 15, 45 and 75 degrees (with respect to normal direction to the crack surface) were used with various overloading ratios. The effects of residual stresses due to overloading with saving and restoring capabilities were considered as a separate loading. To confirm the modeling results, models were built with ABAQUS and also compared with the results of numerical and experimental data in the literature. There are good agreements in determining the path of the crack growth and life estimation. The effects of the loading direction, overloading ratio and its load ratio, combination of overloadings and their locations on the fatigue crack growth and life are investigated.     

基于TCD理论的缺口试样疲劳强度尺寸系数计算

为了建立疲劳强度尺寸系数计算公式,基于TCD理论对缺口试件的疲劳强度进行了研究．引入与材料疲劳强度以及疲劳裂纹扩展应力强度因子门槛值相关的临界距离,建立了试样缺口根部的应力幅函数．利用有限元计算结果对应力幅函数的参数进行拟合,并由此建立了缺口件的疲劳强度尺寸系数计算公式．最后,基于该方法针对两种材料(Q235和45#)以及不同缺口形状（U型和半圆型）分别进行了实例计算,所得结果与实验数据较为吻合．     

复合材料修补结构腐蚀扩展特性实验研究

为了研究腐蚀环境对复合材料修补结构疲劳特性的影响,开展以某型飞机加速环境谱为基础的预腐蚀试验,并采用递进式的试验方法分别完成对未修补未腐蚀、修补但未腐蚀、又修补又腐蚀的试样疲劳裂纹扩展试验。利用试验数据计算了复合材料修补构型、腐蚀环境对裂纹尖端应力强度因子影响的修正系数,并确定了通过试验验证的修补结构疲劳裂纹扩展修正模型。该模型预测腐蚀环境下修补结构的疲劳寿命与试验值一致。试验数据和预测模型可为海军飞机复合材料修补结构的损伤容限设计提供参考。     

A two-parameter model to predict fatigue life of high-strength steels in a very high cycle fatigue regime

In this paper, ultrasonic(20 kHz) fatigue tests were performed on specimens of a high-strength steel in very high cycle fatigue(VHCF) regime. Experimental results showed that for most tested specimens failed in a VHCF regime, a fatigue crack originated from the interior of specimen with a fish-eye pattern, which contained a fine granular area(FGA) centered by an inclusion as the crack origin. Then,a two-parameter model is proposed to predict the fatigue life of high-strength steels with fish-eye mode failure in a VHCF regime, which takes into account the inclusion size and the FGA size. The model was verified by the data of present experiments and those in the literature. Furthermore, an analytic formula was obtained for estimating the equivalent crack growth rate within the FGA. The results also indicated that the stress intensity factor range at the front of the FGA varies within a small range, which is irrespective of stress amplitude and fatigue life.     

高强度钢的超高周疲劳裂纹扩展模型研究

当疲劳寿命在106或107周时,Wöhler S-N 曲线被看作渐近于水平轴,107的疲劳强度被看成是疲劳极限。现代应用要求延长零件的工作寿命,实际齿轮部件应用超过107循环的疲劳失效。本文应用压电超声疲劳试验机对经过热处理和渗碳处理后的低铬合金钢材料进行研究,采用红外摄像仪观测试件表面的温度场随疲劳裂纹萌生和扩展的过程。试验条件是室温,应力比为0.1（R=0.1）,频率为20KHz。通过对表面渗碳处理后试件的断口分析,探讨表面渗碳处理、微观结构和与杂质有关的断裂机理,根据Paris公式建立超高周疲劳裂纹扩展模型。对裂纹扩展过程中裂纹尖端的塑性区的分析结果,结合传热学原理,建立热耗散模型,有限元方法的数值解结果较好地符合红外摄像仪的观测的试验结果。     

Fatigue crack growth behavior of Al7050-T7451 attachment lugs under flight spectrum variation

This paper discusses an analytical and experimental investigations of the fatigue crack growth behavior in attachment lugs subjected to a randomized flight-by-flight spectrum. In the analysis, the stress intensity factors for through-the-thickness cracks initiating from lug holes were compared by weight function method, boundary element method (BEM), the interpolation of Brussat’s solution. The stress intensity factors of a corner crack at a transition region were obtained using two parameter weight function method and correction factors. Fatigue life under a load spectrum was predicted using stress intensity factors and Willenborg retardation model considering the effects of a tensile overload. Experiments were performed under a load spectrum and compared with the fatigue life prediction using the stress intensity factors by different methods. Changes of fatigue life and aspect ratio according to the clipping level of the spectrum were discussed through experiment and prediction. Effect of the spectrum clipping level on the fatigue life was experimentally evaluated by using beach marks of fractured surface.     

Investigation on 3D fatigue crack propagation in surface-cracked specimens

In the present work the fatigue crack growth in AISI304 specimens is investigated experimentally. In 3D finite element analysis the virtual crack closure technique is applied to calculate distributions and variations of the stress intensity factor along the surface crack front. It is confirmed that the stress intensity factor along the surface crack front varies non-uniformly with crack growth. Crack growth rate is proportional to the stress intensity factor distribution in the 3D cracked specimen. The fatigue crack growth in surface cracked specimens can be described by the Forman model identified in conventional compact tension specimens. For crack growth in the free specimen surface the arc length seems more suitable to quantify crack progress. Geometry and loading configuration of the surface cracked specimen seem to not affect the fatigue crack growth substantially.     

降载勾线法在高强钢疲劳断裂试验中的应用

制作高强钢特征试件,在压、弯应力共同作用下进行疲劳断裂试验;结合疲劳辉纹产生机理,采用降载勾线法在试件断面制造出“海滩状花纹”;利用CAD软件描绘断面形貌并测量裂纹长度,用Newman-Raju理论进一步研究表面裂纹扩展的规律,并与试验值比较.结果表明降载勾线法可以解决高强度钢表面裂纹不易测量及断面难以观测到疲劳辉纹的问题;采用Newman-Raju公式模拟压弯组合应力下表面裂纹扩展形貌是合适的,但由此计算的疲劳寿命偏于保守.另外,当压弯应力比值较小时,计算扩展形貌时压应力可以忽略,而计算疲劳寿命时压应力不可忽略.     

Thermography Applied to the Study of Fatigue Crack Propagation in Polycarbonate

Thermography was used to study the propagation of fatigue cracks during cyclic loading of pre-cracked SAE keyhole polycarbonate specimens. A micro-bolometer infrared camera (FLIR A655sc) and a commercially available software program (DeltaTherm2) were employed. The stress intensity factors were determined using a hybrid thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) technique. The crack growth rate was determined via thermography using two different approaches. The first approach used the output of the crack-tip position from the developed TSA algorithm and the number of cycles between data sets. The second approach used temperature measurement as a new way to determine da/dN (crack growth rate) directly. As a result, da/dN vs ΔK (stress intensity factor range) graphs were plotted and fitted using Paris’ law. A comparison between the resultant da/dN vs ΔK curves and results found in the literature, as well as curves from the finite element method (FEM) simulations showed good agreement. The conclusion was that thermography is a very powerful tool that can detect, measure and monitor fatigue cracks in polycarbonate.     

隧道近距离交汇时对老隧道的影响分析

采用三维有限元模拟盾构推进的过程,是研究盾构施工中土层移动的最有效的手段。本采用三维弹塑性有限元,在真实模拟施工情况的基础上,研究了新隧道从老隧道下面垂直穿过时,对老隧道的变形影响情况。研究表明,推进力和稳定比N是影响老道变形的主要因素。     

STUDY ON THE SURFACE CRACK GROWTH BEHAVIOR IN 14MnNbq BRIDGE STEEL

Three-dimensional crack closure correction methods are investigated in this paper.The fatigue crack growth tests of surface cracks in 14MnNbq steel for bridge plate subjected to tensile and bending loadings are systematically conducted.The experimentally measured fatigue crack growth rates of surface cracks are compared with those of through-thickness cracks in detail.It is found that the crack growth rates of surface cracks are lower than those of through-thickness cracks.In order to correct their differences in fatigue crack growth rates, a dimensionless crack closure correction model is proposed.Although this correction model is determined only by the experimental data of surface cracks under tensile loading with a constant ratio R=0.05, it can correlate the surface crack growth rates with reasonable accuracy under tensile and bending loadings with various stress ratios ranging from 0 to 0.5.Furthermore, predictions of fatigue life and crack aspect ratio for surface cracks are discussed, and the predicted results are also compared with those obtained from other prediction approaches.Comparison results show that the proposed crack closure correction model gives better prediction of fatigue life than other models.     

一种经验型疲劳小裂纹扩展模型

金属材料疲劳寿命由裂纹萌生和裂纹扩展寿命两部分组成,其中对于萌生寿命中的小裂纹分析是精确描述裂纹萌生寿命的关键．而小裂纹在扩展过程中由于尺寸相对较小,导致传统线弹性断裂力学预测方法失效,需要对其进行改进,考虑裂纹尖端塑性区引起的残余压应力对小裂纹扩展速度的影响．本文针对此问题进行了初步分析,通过对塑性区引起的残余应力的量化,结合小裂纹门槛值特性,提出了一种经验型修正的小裂纹扩展模型,用于定量预测裂纹的萌生寿命．使用铝合金6082-T6缺口试样进行了疲劳实验,并与理论结果进行了对比,验证了所提模型的有效性．     

Experimental and numerical analysis of fretting crack formation based on 3D X-FEM frictional contact fatigue crack model

Nowadays, numerical simulation of 3D fatigue crack growth is easily handled using the eXtended Finite Element Method coupled with level set techniques. The finite element mesh does not need to conform to the crack geometry. Most difficulties associated to complex mesh generation around the crack and the re-meshing steps during the possible propagation are hence avoided. A 3D two-scale frictional contact fatigue crack model developed within the X-FEM framework is presented in this article. It allows the use of a refined discretization of the crack interface independent from the underlying finite element mesh and adapted to the frictional contact crack scale. A stabilized three-field weak formulation is also proposed to avoid possible oscillations in the local solution linked to the LBB condition when tangential slip is occurring. Two basic three-dimensional numerical examples are presented. They aim at illustrating the capacities and the high level of accuracy of the proposed X-FEM model. Stress intensity factors are computed along the crack front. Finally an experimental 3D ball/plate fretting fatigue test with running conditions inducing crack nucleation and propagation is modeled. 3D crack shapes defined from actual experimental ones and fretting loading cycle are considered. This latter numerical simulation demonstrates the model ability to deal with challenging actual complex problems and the possibility to achieve tribological fatigue prediction at a design stage based on the fatigue crack modeling.     

三维计算断裂力学

断裂力学理论从1921年Griffith研究玻璃的脆性断裂问题开始,经历了从线弹性体系到弹塑性以及蠕变理论体系、从单参数到多参数体系和从理想的二维平面理论到实际三维含裂纹结构的三维断裂理论的发展历程。针对应力强度因子K和J积分以及C(t)积分的计算方法从理想化模型的理论计算发展到实际复杂工程结构裂纹体计算的各种商业软件平台以及专业的断裂理论分析平台。尤其是随着计算机技术的发展,对三维含裂结构的静态和扩展裂纹的计算模拟已经能够融入计算机辅助设计。结合本研究组近30年来在三维疲劳断裂理论和应用研究方面的体会,简述了三维计算断裂力学从裂纹体应力应变分析和断裂参数计算到三维蠕变断裂和疲劳裂纹扩展模拟的国内外进展,并对涉及的计算方法,包括原子尺度和跨尺度的计算模拟,以及目前面临的挑战性问题作了简要介绍和分析。