An energy approach to the link-up of multiple cracks in thin aluminum alloy sheets

An energy approach has been used in the study of the coalescence or linkage of multiple cracks in aluminum alloy sheets. The study was motivated by concern for the structural integrity of aging aircraft. Forty reported tests for 2024-T3 aluminum panels with a major crack and several multiple-site damage (MSD) cracks have been analyzed via a simple computational model with a Dugdale–Barenblatt [D.S. Dugdale, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 8 (1960) 100–104; G.I. Barenblatt, in: H.L. Dryden, Th. VonKarman (Eds.), Advances in Applied Mechanics, vol. II, 1962, pp. 55–130] type of plastic or inelastic deformation. For simplicity, the computational model considers only the plastic interaction between the major crack and two symmetrically adjacent MSD cracks in an infinite sheet under remote tensile stress. By following the approach given in [B. Cotterell, J. K. Reddel, Int. J. Fract. 13 (1977) 267–277], the specific work to cause ligament failure is found to be a linear function of the normal extent of the confined plastic region for most tests considered. A few exceptions to this linear relation are attributed to the limitation of the employed computational model. A new criterion and an engineering method to predict crack link-up in an MSD sheet are proposed based on this specific work concept, and they have been demonstrated through application to stiffened panels.     

混凝土断裂能测试方法研究

基于局部断裂能分布的双直线模型,推导出混凝土真实断裂能和受尺寸影响的断裂能的计算公式;并进一步通过分析四组不同尺寸试件的楔形劈裂试验数据,得出了不受尺寸影响的混凝土真实断裂能.本文为确定混凝土的断裂能提供了一种实践可行的测试方法.通过实验数据拟合,给出了断裂能非均匀分布的外部区域长度与试件尺寸的关系表达式.这对于在规范中规定测试断裂能的标准尺寸试件是有意义的.     

Material plasticity dependence of mixed mode fatigue crack growth in commonly used engineering materials

In this paper, an investigation of fatigue crack propagation in rectangular plates containing an inclined surface crack is presented. A criterion for the three-dimensional stress state is proposed to predict fatigue crack initiation angles. It is assumed that the direction of crack initiation coincides with the direction of the minimum radius of the plastic zone defined by the von Mises yield criterion. The maximum energy release rate criterion, i.e., G_max criterion, is extended to study the fatigue crack growth characteristics of mixed mode cracks. A modification has been made to this criterion to implement the consideration of the plastic strain energy. Subsequently, this concept is applied to predict crack growth due to fatigue loads. Experiments for checking the theoretical predictions from the proposed criterion have been conducted. The results obtained are compared with those obtained using the commonly employed fracture criteria and the test data.     

On a general concept for the analysis of crack growth and material damage

For finite strain dynamics a variational model of crack evolution is formulated within the generalized oriented continuum methodology. In this approach position- and direction-dependent deformation and strain measures are used to describe the (macro)motion of the body with defects, which may evolve relative to the moving body. The inelastic behaviour of continua with evolving defects is represented by phenomenological equations including the transversal crack evolution. A strain-induced crack propagation criterion is defined by the difference between the strain energy release rate and the rate of the surface energy of the crack. A possible nucleation of microcracks in terms of the average drag coefficient of the crack configuration is proposed. Based on the crack growth criterion presented in this paper, the kinking of cracks is investigated using variational concepts. A constitutive damage model of Kachanov's type accounting for the crack density is derived in terms of the free energy functional and a dissipation potential.     

On the development of the strip yield model for the assessment of multiple site damage

The strip yield model is used to assess the link-up of multiple fatigue cracks in a simple open hole configuration. This analysis is based upon the complex stress function formulation of the problem of multiple straight collinear cuts in an infinite sheet. The predictions of link-up and fracture are compared to results from a fatigue crack propagation test on an open hole specimen, and are shown to be in very close agreement.     

The strain energy density ratio criterion for predicting cracking direction in composite materials

The strain energy density ratio criterion for predicting cracking direction incomposite materials is proposed.The Tsai-Hill criterion and Norris criterion ofcomposite materials are extended to predict the cracking direction in composites.Thethree criteria are used to analyse the crack propagation problem of the unidirectionalfibre composite sheet with various fibre directions.The predicted results are comparedwith those of the existing normal stress ratio criterion and strain energy densitycriterion.     

Fatigue Life Estimation for an NBR Rubber and an Expanded Polyurethane

In this paper, we deal with the mechanical behavior of elastomeric materials subjected to high cyclic loading in cases of high strain. First, a methodology for material parameter identification is used for a constitutive visco-hyperelastic law with discontinuous damage, modeling the Mullins effect. Then a fatigue model characterized by a strain energy density-based criterion is proposed and implemented in the finite element code, Code-Aster [1]. Two kinds of elastomer are considered, an incompressible rubber and an expanded compressible polyurethane. Cyclic tensile tests were performed to identify material fatigue parameters. Finally, a numerical application using a finite element model is presented. This model is a plate perforated by a ?6 mm hole for the first sample and a ?10 mm hole for the second one. The results obtained from the finite element model are compared to experimental results.     

广义平均形状改变能密度断裂准则及应用

基于形状改变能为材料起裂扩展控制参量的物理事实及裂纹尖端断裂控制区能量平均概念,提出了计及裂纹尖端应力场特征级数展开奇异项和常数项的广义平均形状改变能密度(GADSED)准则,建立了Ⅰ-Ⅱ-Ⅲ混合型裂纹断裂判据计算式,为工程结构疲劳断裂评估提供了新选择.基于提出的GADSED准则,系统分析了T应力对裂纹断裂判据的影响,结果表明:当参数|Bα|数值相同时:负值T应力的Ⅰ-Ⅱ混合型裂纹更易起裂扩展,正值T应力的K_Ⅰf值高于负值T应力的K_Ⅰf值,正负T应力的K_Ⅱf值相同;T应力在区间0Ⅰf值(3%以内),T应力降低了K_Ⅱf值.根据GADSED准则完成了双轴疲劳载荷平板表面Ⅰ型裂纹扩展寿命预报,结果表明:基于GADSED准则的裂纹扩展寿命预报值约为传统方法预报值的40.7%,可为工程实际评估提供借鉴.     

Sufficient Discrete—Integral Criterion of Rupture Strength

The behavior of the atomic structure in the vicinity of the crack tip is modeled. The loss of stability and postcritical deformation of a triatomic cell in a close–packed atomic layer in tension are studied. For macrocracks in single crystals, the concept of the generalized Burgers vector is introduced. A sufficient discrete—integral strength criterion is proposed for normal–rupture cracks in the case where the stress fields have a singular component. In accordance with Novozhilov's hybrid model, this criterion is formulated with the use of a new class of solutions that differs from solutions used in formulating the classical sufficient strength criterion. In the limiting case where the energy characteristics of the postcritical deformation of the cell can be ignored, the sufficient criterion proposed admits a limiting passage to the necessary criterion. The critical loads calculated by means of the sufficient criterion differ substantially from those determined with the use of the necessary criterion; this makes it possible to describe the Rehbinder effect.     

Failure analysis of the total knee prosthesis anchored with PMMA

Stress and failure analysis of the bone/cement/metal prosthesis of the femorotibial joint are made. The system is modelled by the finite element method in two dimensions while the strain energy density (SED) criterion is applied to locate the potential medial and lateral failure sites in the PMMA for five different prosthesis positions. Examined also is the influence of the PMMA cement that may or may not completely fill the ligament between the stems of the femoral prosthetic component.According to the SED criterion, the cement next to the base of the femoral component systems is the weakest, particularly when the implant is tilted locally resulting in an uneven spread of the cement lining. A 10° local misalignment of the metal implant with reference to the mechanical axis of the femur is more detrimental than the 20° valgus or 20° varus position. The precise locations of possible failure sites on the cement are predicted even though the overall structural integrity of the total knee prosthesis system is found to be adequate for the ideal case investigated. Loadings of a dynamic nature combined with imperfections such as voids and defects in the cement are additional factors that can enhance failure initiation.     

Fracture mechanics based design procedures for pressurized components having part-through cracks

This paper presents a fracture mechanics based design procedure for pressurized components having part-through cracks. Fracture critical stresses are evaluated for the assumed crack configurations and the fracture envelopes are obtained for these configurations. For small size crack configurations, Feddersen's type correction is made for proper estimation of critical stress values. Residual strength of unbroken ligament is a more appropriate criterion for the design of thin sections with parth-through cracks. A criterion based on the ligament failure is defined for cases where the critical fracture stresses are above the material yield stress value. The procedure is illustrated by presenting an example of a pressurized tankage used in aerospace industry.     

ADAPTIVE GRID REFINEMENT USING CELL-LEVEL AND GLOBAL IMBALANCES

A methodology for local solution-adaptive mesh refinement in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using cell-level and global kinetic energy balances is formulated and tested. Results are presented for two two-dimensional steady incompressible laminar benchmark problems: a lid-driven cavity (Reynolds number Re=1000) and a backward-facing step (Re=400). It is demonstrated that local kinetic energy imbalance correlates with local solution accuracy, that normalized global imbalance is an appropriate criterion for halting mesh refinement and that a specified level of accuracy is realized at lower computational effort using local refinement compared with a uniform finer mesh. © 1997 by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.     

Scaling of size/time/temperature — Part 2: Progressive damage in uniaxial compressive specimen

This work is concerned with predicting the fatigue failure initiation of a wing/fuselage bolt assembly. Accounted for in the analysis are both the influence of energy dissipation and damage accumulation as the structure is subjected to repeated cyclic loading. Results involving the location and number of cycles to initiate a fatigue crack 10⁻² in. are obtained. They agreed both qualitatively and quantitatively with the experimental findings. Also discussed is the influence of pre-torque in the bolt which tends to decrease the number of cycles to fatique crack initiation. Fatigue life may be extended by altering the load path so as to decrease the accumulation of energy near the site of failure initiation. This can be accomplished without major modification of the design. The methodology that makes use of the strain energy density criterion can be used to optimize the fatigue strength of other structural sub-assemblies by appropriate combination of material and geometry for specified load conditions.     

Optimal control of the dynamic stability for robotic vehicles in rough terrain

In this paper, we mount semi-active suspensions between the wheels and platform of a robotic vehicle to absorb the vibrations caused by movement over rough terrain. The semi-active suspension consists of a spring and a magneto-rheological damper. By combining the dynamic model of the suspended robotic vehicle and the control model of the damper, we propose a new methodology to evaluate the dynamic stability of the vehicle. The model considers the configuration of semi-active suspensions and the road-holding ability of robotic vehicles. Based on the stability criterion, we use the particle swarm optimization method to search the optimum semi-active damping characteristics. The control model of the semi-active damper is checked by sinusoidal response analysis. To verify the dynamic stability criterion and the control method, we evaluate the proposed methodology by simulating a rough pavement condition and comparing the effectiveness of the method to a passive suspension. The results show that the proposed stability criterion is feasible, and the optimal control method yields a substantially improved dynamic stability when the vehicle moves through rough terrain.     

Durability of Thermoviscoelastic Bodies Under Long-Term Cyclic Loading

International Applied Mechanics - An energy failure criterion for thermoviscoelastic structural members subject to abrasive wear and dissipative heating is proposed. The criterion is used to...     

Theoretical analysis on the local critical stress and size effect for interfacial debonding in particle reinforced rheological materials

The mechanisms of interfacial debonding of particle reinforced rheological materials are studied. Based on an energy criterion, a simple formula of local critical stress for interfacial debonding is derived and expressed in terms of the interfacial energy. The particle size effect on interface debonding can then be analyzed easily owing to the fact that critical stress is inversely proportional to the square root of particle radius. By taking PP/CaCO₃ system as an example, the present energy criterion is compared with the mechanical debonding criterion, and it is found that under the condition that bond strength is equal to matrix strength and particle radius not over 0.2μm, the mechanical debonding criterion can be automatically satisfied if the energy criterion is satisfied. A relation between critical time and interface energy is calculated by using the energy criterion. The influences of the particle volume fraction and the parlicle size, the loading rate and the relaxation time of the matrix on the critical time of interfacial debonding are also discussed. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (19632030 and 19872007) and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province.     

Fatigue criteria for integrity assessment of long-span steel bridge with health monitoring

A structural health assessment (SHA) methodology is developed using data acquired from structural health monitoring (SHM) system installed on long-span bridges. A set of fatigue criteria has been proposed for pre-determining the global state of the bridge structure failure due to fatigue. This involves finding the threshold of fatigue initiation, below which the rate of fatigue damage may be undetectable under current technology or it is economically unfeasible. The state-of-art for large structures corresponds to the initiation of macro-cracks caused by the accumulation of damage generated by actual service loads for the case of bridges. In what follows, consideration is given to developing fatigue crack growth criterion based on the concept of the continuum damage mechanics (CDM). Fatigue accumulative is included in the model where a fatigue limit for multi-axial stress state is considered. The proposed criterion advocates the evolution of micro-crack growth up to the stage of macro-crack formulation. Considered are the loading histories that correspond to normal traffic loading for highways and railways, incidental or accident loadings such as those caused by typhoons and effective environmental loadings. The potential sites of damage are determined are discussed. The proposed criterion is applied to analyze the fatigue damage of the Tsing Ma Bridge with online strain history data acquired by the SHM system that is permanently installed in the bridge.     

基于有限断裂法和比例边界有限元法的裂纹扩展模拟

基于有限断裂法和比例边界有限元法提出了一种裂缝开裂过程模拟的数值模型。采用基于有限断裂法的混合断裂准则作为起裂及扩展的判断标准,当最大环向应力和能量释放率同时达到其临界值时,裂缝扩展。结合多边形比例边界有限元法,可以半解析地求解裂尖区域附近的应力场和位移场,在裂尖附近无需富集即可获得高精度的解。计算能量释放率时,只需将裂尖多边形内的裂尖位置局部调整,无需改变整体网格的分布,网格重剖分的工作量降至最少。裂缝扩展步长通过混合断裂准则确定,避免了人为假设的随意性,并可以实现裂缝变步长扩展的模拟,更符合实际情况。通过对四点剪切梁的复合型裂缝扩展过程的模拟,对本文模型进行了验证,并应用于重力坝模型的裂缝扩展模拟,计算结果表明,本文提出的模型简单易行且精度较高。     

Homogenization in finite thermoelasticity

A homogenization framework is developed for the finite thermoelasticity analysis of heterogeneous media. The approach is based on the appropriate identifications of the macroscopic density, internal energy, entropy and thermal dissipation. Thermodynamical consistency that ensures standard thermoelasticity relationships among various macroscopic quantities is enforced through the explicit enforcement of the macroscopic temperature for all evaluations of temperature dependent microscale functionals. This enforcement induces a theoretical split of the accompanying micromechanical boundary value problem into two phases where a mechanical phase imposes the macroscopic deformation and temperature on a test sample while a subsequent purely thermal phase on the resulting deformed configuration imposes the macroscopic temperature gradient. In addition to consistently recovering standard scale transition criteria within this framework, a supplementary dissipation criterion is proposed based on alternative identifications for the macroscopic temperature gradient and heat flux. In order to complete the macroscale implementation of the overall homogenization methodology, methods of determining the constitutive tangents associated with the primary macroscopic variables are discussed. Aspects of the developed framework are demonstrated by numerical investigations on model microstructures.     

A new quasi-continuum constitutive model for crack growth in an isotropic solid

A new quasi-continuum constitutive model is established based on the randomized cohesive bonds model proposed by Gao and Klein (1998). This model bridges the microscopic discrete constitution characters and the macroscopic mechanical properties of material. In the presented constitutive model, both the bond stretch energy potential and the rotation energy potential are considered, which makes the presented constitutive model applicable to different Poisson-ratio and Young's modulus materials. By establishing a phenomenological bond stiffness function according to the complete stress–strain relationship of uniaxial tension test, the fracture criterion is directly incorporated into the constitutive model. The method requires no external fracture criterion when simulating fracture initiation and propagation, which brings convenience in the numerical simulation. At last, the presented constitutive model is applied to an example of crack growth in an isotropic solid.