Fracture mechanics of plates and shells applied to fail-safe analysis of fuselage Part I: Theory

In this paper, a general theory on the asymptotic field near the crack tip for plates and shells with and without shear deformation effect is established. It is found that four stress intensity factors, two for symmetrical and antisymmetrical stretching and two for symmetrical and antisymmetrical bending, are required to describe arbitrary asymptotic fields near the crack tip for plates without shear deformation. An additional stress intensity factor is required for the transverse shearing force induced by antisymmetrical bending when the shear deformation is included in the analysis. It is also proven by means of the complex variable technique that for problems of plates with shear deformation, there exist similarities in the asymptotic expressions of moments and membrane forces and also in the asymptotic expressions of in-plane displacements and rotations of the mid-surface. The energy release rate associated with crack growth in the direction of the crack line can be expressed in terms of stress intensity factors by means of Irwin's method of work and energy associated with a virtual crack extension. A combined stress intensity factor can be defined through the total energy release rate. The theory of the fracture of plates is generalized and applied to the study of problems in the fracture of shells. An example of an infinitely long cylindrical shell with a circumferential crack subjected to remote axial tension is given to demonstrate the application of the theory and to test the accuracy of the numerical analysis used for the problem.     

Strain energy release rate for interfacial cracks in hybrid beams

The finite element modeling and fracture mechanics concept were used to study the interfacial fracture of a FRP-concrete hybrid structure. The strain energy release rate of the interfacial crack was calculated by the virtual crack extension method. It is shown that the crack growth has three phases, namely, cracking initiation, stable crack growth and unstable crack propagation. The effects of geometric and physical parameters of the hybrid beam on the energy release rate were considered. These parameters include Young’s moduli of the FRP, the concrete and the adhesive, thickness of the FRP plate and adhesive, and the distance of FRP plate end from the beam end. The numerical results show that the energy release rate of the interfacial crack is influenced considerably by these parameters. The present investigation can contribute to the mechanism understanding and engineering design of the hybrid structures.     

Interface crack between two shear deformable elastic layers

An improved method based on the first-order shear deformable plate theory is developed to calculate the energy release rate and stress intensity factor for a crack at the interface of a bi-layer structure. By modeling the uncracked region of the structure as two separate Reissner-Mindlin plates bonded perfectly along the interface, this method is able not only to take into account the shear deformation in the cracked region, but also to capture the shear deformation in the uncracked region of the structure. A closed form solution of energy release rate and mode decomposition at the interface crack is obtained for a general loading condition, and it indicates that the energy release rate and stress intensity factor are determined by two independent loading parameters. Compared to the approach based on the classical plate theory, the proposed method provides a more accurate prediction of energy release rate as well as mode decomposition. The computational procedures introduced are relatively straightforward, and the closed form solution can be used to predict crack growth along the layered structures.     

On the crack face boundary conditions in electromechanical fracture and an experimental protocol for determining energy release rates

The fracture mechanics of electromechanical materials has been investigated for well over a decade, yet there still exists controversy over the appropriate crack face boundary conditions for non-conducting cracks. In this paper an experimental protocol for measuring the energy release rate in a non-linear reversible electromechanical body is proposed and summarized. The potential results from the proposed experimental approach are capable of shedding light on the true physical nature of the conditions prevailing at the crack surface and in the space within the crack. The experimental procedure is simulated numerically for a linear piezoelectric specimen in a four point bending configuration subjected to electrical loading perpendicular to the crack. The focus of these investigations is on a comparison between the commonly used exact crack face boundary condition and the recently proposed energetically consistent boundary conditions. To perform the numerical calculation with a wide range of electrical and mechanical loadings, two efficient finite element formulations are presented for the general analysis of crack problems with non-linear crack face boundary conditions. Methods for the numerical determination of the crack tip energy release rate and the simulation of the experimental method for obtaining the total energy release rate are developed. Numerical results for the crack tip and total energy release rate are given for both the exact and energetically consistent boundary conditions. It is shown that the crack tip energy release rate calculated under energetically consistent boundary conditions is equal to the total energy release rate generated from the simulated experimental method. When the exact boundary conditions are used, there is no such agreement.     

Fatigue crack propagation life analysis of solder joints under thermal cyclic loading

Fatigue crack propagation life analysis of solder joints under thermal cyclic loadings was investigated by the strain energy release rate method using finite element analysis. A relationship between the crack-growth rate and the strain energy release rate was derived. Finite element simulations were carried out to investigate the effect of crack growth along the interface of solder and lead in a solder joint assembly. The crack propagation life of the solder joint with an interface crack was predicted from the derived relationship between crack growth rate and values of the strain energy release rate. It was found that crack propagation life is much higher than the crack initiation life.     

Computational models for mode I composite fracture failure: the virtual crack closure technique versus the two-step extension method

This paper deals with the numerical determination of the energy release rate under mode I in carbon fibre reinforced composites (CFRC). Two different models are reviewed: the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) and the Two-step extension method. The Two-step extension method needs two computational steps in order to calculate the energy release rate (G). The VCCT method is able to provide ERR value only from one computational step. Results were compared with empirical data obtained from double cantilever beam (DCB) tests carried out on unidirectional AS4/8552 carbon/epoxy laminates. This study showed that, in a pure mode I state, results obtained via the Two-step extension method were in agreement with a straightforward calculation of the elastic energy variation in the system. As expected, results obtained from VCCT and Two-step extension models converge as element length decreases. Regarding the comparison between experimental and numerical results, the study showed that a correction for testing devices compliance was needed to match both models.     

横观各向同性材料的三维断裂力学问题

从三维横观各向同性材料弹性力学理论出发, 使用Hadamard有限部积分概念, 导出了三维状态下单位位移间断(位错)集度的基 本解. 在此基础上, 进一步运用极限理论, 将任意载荷作用下, 三维无限大横观各向 同性材料弹性体中, 含有一个位于弹性对称面内的任意形状的片状裂纹问题, 归结为求 解一组超奇异积分方程的问题. 通过二维超奇异积分的主部分析方法, 精确地求得了裂纹前沿光滑点附近的应力奇异指数和奇异应力场, 从而找到了以裂纹表面位移间断表示的应力强度因子表达式及裂纹局部扩展所提供 的能量释放率. 作为以上理论的实际应用，最后给出了一个圆形片状裂纹问题 的精确解例和一个正方形片状裂纹问题的数值解例. 对受轴对称法向均布载荷作用下圆形片状裂纹问题, 讨论了超奇异积分方程的精确求解方法, 并获得了位移间断和应力强度因子的封闭解, 此结果与现有理论解完全一致.     

INTERACTION OF THREE PARALLEL CRACKS IN RECTANGULAR PLATE UNDER CYCLIC LOADS

This paper presents a numerical approach for modeling the interaction between multiple cracks in a rectangular plate under cyclic loads. It involves the formulation of fatigue growth of multiple crack tips under ruixed-mode loading and an extension of a hybrid displacement discontinuity method （a boundary element method） to fatigue crack growth analyses. Because of an intrinsic feature of the boundary element method, a general growth problem of multiple cracks can be solved in a single-region formulation. In the numerical simulation, remeshing of existing boundaries is not necessary for each increment of crack extension. Crack extension is conveniently modeled by adding new boundary elements on the incremental crack extension to the previous crack boundaries. As an example, the numerical approach is used to analyze the fatigue growth of three parallel cracks in a rectangular plate. The numerical results illustrate the validation of the numerical approach and can reveal the effect of the geometry of the cracked plate on the fatigue growth.     

Comparison of energy release rate and energy density criteria for a piezoelectric layered composite with a crack normal to interface

A critical comparison of the energy release rate and energy density criteria is made using the example of a piezoelectric layer bonded between two half-spaces of a different elastic solid containing a crack normal to the interfaces. Numerical values of stress intensity factor, energy release rate and energy density factor are presented to exhibit electroelastic interactions. Considered are the exact (permeable) and impermeable crack models. The energy release rate criterion led to negative values which are unphysical. This is consistent with previously published results that seem to contradict with experimental observation related to crack growth enhancement and retardation. The energy density factor always remains positive. This shows that a knowledge of the stress intensity factors alone is not sufficient to explain the behavior of fracture in piezoelectric materials.     

巴西圆盘试样中心斜裂纹疲劳扩展轨迹的边界元模拟

提出了一个平面弹性体多裂纹疲劳扩展模型. 它主要涉及到复合型加载情况下多裂纹尖端疲劳扩展的数学模型及杂交位移不连续法(一种边界元法). 在数值模拟中, 对每一裂纹扩展增量分析时,在其先前的边界上增添裂纹扩展增量, 且只对新增添的裂纹扩展增量划分单元, 同时, 按照这种边界元法的实施方法对一些单元特征进行调整, 就可以方便地模拟裂纹扩展. 用这种数值方法模拟了巴西圆盘试样中心斜裂纹疲劳扩展轨迹,数值结果说明了预报模型的有效性, 揭示了裂纹体几何对疲劳扩展的影响.      

On the uses of special crack tip elements in numerical rock fracture mechanics

Numerical methods such as boundary element methods are widely used for the stress analysis in solid mechanics. These methods are also used for crack analysis in rock fracture mechanics. There are singularities for the stresses and displacements at the crack tips in fracture mechanics problem, which decrease the accuracy of the numerical results in areas very close to the crack ends. To overcome this, higher order elements and isoperimetric higher order elements have been used. Recently, special crack tip elements have been proposed and used in most of the numerical fracture mechanics models. These elements can drastically increase the accuracy of the results near the crack tips, but in most of the models only one special crack tip element has been used for each crack end. In this study the uses of higher order crack tip elements are discussed and a higher order displacement discontinuity method is used to investigate the effect of these elements on the accuracy of the results in some crack problems. The useful shape functions for two special crack tip elements, are derived and given in the text and appendix for both infinite and semi-infinite plane problems. In this analysis both Mode I and Mode II stress intensity factors are computed . Some example problems are solved and the computed results are compared with the results given in the literature. The numerical results obtained here are in good agreement with those cited in the literature. For the curved crack problem, the strain energy release rate, G can be calculated accurately in the vicinity of the crack tips by using the higher order displacement discontinuity method with a quadratic variation of displacement discontinuity elements and with two special crack tip elements at each crack end.     

Fatigue growth modeling of cracks emanating from a circular hole in infinite plate

This paper presents a numerical approach of fatigue growth analysis of cracks emanating from a hole in infinite elastic plate subjected to remote loads. It involves a generation of Bueckner’s principle and a hybrid displacement discontinuity method (a boundary element method) proposed recently by the senior author of the paper. Because of an intrinsic feature of the boundary element method, a general crack growth problem can be solved in a single region formulation. In the numerical simulation, for each increment of crack extension, remeshing of existing boundaries is not necessary. Crack extension is modeled conveniently by adding new boundary elements on the incremental crack extension to the previous crack boundaries. As an example, fatigue growth process of an inclined crack in an infinite plate under uniaxial cycle load is modeled to illustrate the effectiveness of the numerical approach. In addition, fatigue growth of cracks emanating from a circular hole in infinite elastic plate subjected to remote loads is investigated by using the numerical approach. Many numerical results are given     

Crack mouth widening energy-release rate and its application

Unlike the classical crack extension energy release rate, the crack mouth widening energy release rate is related to the Mode I stress intensity factor by application of the principle of virtual work. Solutions are derived for cracked beams and pipes while the method applies in a straightforward manner to other crack configurations. The results are shown to agree well with those available in the open literature.     

A boundary element modeling of fatigue crack growth in a plane elastic plate

This paper presents an extension of a boundary element method to fatigue growth analysis of mixed-mode cracked plane elastic bodies. The method consists of the non-singular displacement discontinuity element presented by Crouch and Starfield and the crack-tip displacement discontinuity element due to the author. In the boundary element implementation the left or the right crack-tip element is placed locally at the corresponding left or right crack tip on top of non-singular displacement discontinuity elements that cover the entire crack surface and the other boundaries. Crack growth is simulated with an incremental crack extension analysis based on the modified maximum strain energy density criterion. In numerical simulation, for each increment of crack extension, remeshing of existing boundaries is not required because of an intrinsic feature of the boundary element method. Crack growth is simulated by adding new boundary elements on the incremental crack extension to the previous crack boundaries. At the same time, the element characters of some related elements are adjusted according to the manner in which the boundary element method is implemented. Some numerical results of fatigue growth in a plane elastic plate with a center-inclined crack under uniaxial cyclic loading are given.     

压电材料中三维I型断裂力学分析

讨论了不可导通情况下三维横观各向刚性压电材料中受拉伸和电载荷作用的平片裂纹Ⅰ型断裂力学问题．使用自限部分概念，从二维线性压电理论出发，严格得到了一组以裂纹面位移间断和电势间断为未知变量的超奇异积分方程组；应用二维超奇异积分的主部分析法，从理论上分析得到了裂纹前沿应力和电势奇性指数以及应力和电位移奇性场，从而找到了以裂纹面位移间断和电势间断表示的应力和电位移强度因子、能量释放率表达式；为所得到的超奇异积分方程组建立了数值法，并用此计算了若干典型的平片裂纹问题，数值结果令人满意．     

Initiation and growth characterization of corner cracks near circular hole

The finite element analysis of crack problems often incorporates the asymptotic character of the local solution into the formulation. Embedment of stress or strain singularities can impose serious restrictions on the outcome and inconsistencies in predicting crack and/or growth. These restrictions are discussed in connection with the problem of two diametrically opposite corner cracks near a circular hole subjected to remote uniform tension. Enforced in the numerical treatment is the 1/r character of the strain energy density function local to the corner crack border where r is the radial distance measured from the crack front. The tendency for the corner crack to become a through crack is predicted by assuming that each point of the crack border extends by an amount proportional to the strain energy density factor. The path would correspond to the loci of minimum strain energy density function. Numerical results are displayed graphically and discussed in connection with crack initiation and non-self-similar crack growth.     

Transient response of an interfacial crack between dissimilar magnetoelectroelastic layers under magnetoelectromechanical impact loadings: Mode-I problem

The dynamic response of an interfacial crack between two dissimilar magnetoelectroelastic layers is investigated under magnetic, electrical and mechanical impact loadings. Four kinds of ideal crack-face assumptions, i.e., magnetoelectrically impermeable (Case 1), magnetically impermeable and electrically permeable (Case 2), magnetically permeable and electrically impermeable (Case 3) and magnetoelectrically permeable (Case 4), are adopted separately. The dynamic field intensity factors and energy release rates are derived. The effects of loading combinations and crack configurations especially for the former on the dynamic response are examined according to energy release rate criterion. The numerical results show that, among others, a negative magnetic (or electrical) loading is generally prone to inhibit the crack extension rather than a positive one for a magnetically (or electrically) impermeable interfacial crack. Results presented in this paper should have potential applications to the design of multilayered magnetoelectroelastic structures.     

Stable growth of a crack interacting with a circular inclusion

The problem of failure of a plate containing a circular inclusion and a crack is studied. The crack is oriented along a diameter of the inclusion and the plate is subjected to a remote uniaxial stress perpendicular to the crack axis. The process of slow stable crack growth from initiation to termination is studied by the strain energy density theory. The crack growth is simulated by predicting finite increments of crack extension when material elements near the crack tip absorb a critical amount of strain energy density level, . Unstable crack growth occurs when the strain energy density factor S reaches a critical value where r_c is the critical size of the final crack increment prior to instability. The stress at crack initiation and the critical stress and crack length at failure are determined. The influence of the mechanical properties of the plate and the inclusion, the relative position of the inclusion and the crack and the crack length on the characteristic quantities of stable crack growth is analyzed. The dependence of the stable crack growth process on the loading rate is also investigated. Results are displayed in graphical form.     

Energy domain integral applied to solve center and double-edge crack problems in three-dimensions

A three-dimensional Boundary Element Method (BEM) implementation of the energy domain integral for the numerical computation of the crack energy release rate is presented in this paper. The domain expression of the energy release rate is naturally compatible with the BEM, since stresses, strains and derivatives of displacements at internal points can be evaluated using the appropriate boundary integral equations. The pointwise crack energy release rate is evaluated along the three-dimensional crack front over a cylindrical domains that surround a segment of the crack front. The accuracy of the implementation is demonstrated by solving several problems, which include geometries containing straight as well as curved crack fronts.     

Fissuration polymodale dans les matériaux viscoélastiques orthotropes

This Note deals with an algorithmic approach about the crack initiation and the crack growth in a viscoelastic media for mixed mode configurations. This numerical model couples a finite element resolution of viscoelastic behavior and the Mθ integral calculus allowing a mixed mode separation in terms of stress intensity factors and energy release rate. The numerical application uses a 2MCG specimen allowing, in the same time, different mixed mode ratios and a crack growth stability. The finite element algorithm allows us to model the crack tip advance by taking into account the crack lip uncohesion in the process zone. It size is defined by taking into account stress field in the crack tip vicinity. To cite this article: R. Moutou Pitti, F. Dubois, C. R. Mecanique 337 (2009).