Simulation of short crack propagation under hydrogen influence using a hybrid boundary element technique for anisotropic elastic solids

A two-dimensional model for stage I short crack propagation on multiple slip planes under the influence of hydrogen is presented. It considers elastic-plastic material behaviour by allowing sliding on the active slip planes in the corresponding slip directions. A crack propagation law based on the crack tip sliding displacement is used to simulate crack growth. The activation of slip bands and the sliding on these active slip bands will be influenced by the local hydrogen concentration. The model is solved numerically using the boundary element method. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A BE based finite element for crack propagation processes

A boundary element based finite macro element for the simulation of 3D crack propagation in the framework of linear elastic fracture mechanics is presented. While the major part of the numerical model is discretized with finite elements, a small domain containing the crack is meshed with boundary elements. By means of the Symmetric Galerkin BEM a stiffness formulation for the cracked BE domain is obtained which enables a direct FEM/BEM coupling. All necessary operations for the crack propagation are carried out within this boundary element based finite macro element and exploit the potential of the boundary integral formulation. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Multiple crack fatigue growth modeling by displacement discontinuity method with crack-tip elements

This paper presents a numerical approach for modeling multiple crack fatigue growth in a plane elastic infinite plate. It involves a generation of Bueckner’s principle, a displacement discontinuity method with crack-tip elements (a boundary element method) proposed recently by the author and an extension of Paris’ law to a multiple crack problem under mixed-mode loading. Because of an intrinsic feature of the boundary element method, a general multiple 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 conveniently modeled by adding new boundary elements on the incremental crack extension to the previous crack boundaries. Fatigue growth modeling of an inclined crack in an infinite plate under biaxial cyclic loads is taken into account to illustrate the effectiveness of the present numerical approach. As an example, the present numerical approach is used to study the fatigue growth of three parallel cracks with same length under uniaxial cyclic load. Many numerical results are given.     

Thermo-mechanical modeling of crack propagation in dynamically loaded elastomer specimens using a scaled boundary finite element approach

Recently, a scaled boundary finite element (SBFE) formulation for geometrically and physically nonlinear materials has been developed using the scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM). The SBFE formulation has been employed to describe plane stress problems of notched and unnotched hyperelastic elastomer specimens. In this contribution, the derived SBFE formulation is extended to nonlinear time- and temperature-dependent material behavior. Subsequently, the SBFE formulation is incorporated into a crack propagation scheme to model crack propagation in cyclically loaded elastomer specimens of the so-called tear fatigue analyzer (TFA). (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

平面弹性裂纹分析的一种有效边界元方法

提出了一种简单而有效的平面弹性裂纹应力强度因子的边界元计算方法．该方法由Crouch与Starfield建立的常位移不连续单元和闫相桥最近提出的裂尖位移不连续单元构成A·D2在该边界元方法的实施过程中,左、右裂尖位移不连续单元分别置于裂纹的左、右裂尖处,而常位移不连续单元则分布于除了裂尖位移不连续单元占据的位置之外的整个裂纹面及其它边界．算例(如单向拉伸无限大板中心裂纹、单向拉伸无限大板中圆孔与裂纹的作用)说明平面弹性裂纹应力强度因子的边界元计算方法是非常有效的．此外,还对双轴载荷作用下有限大板中方孔分支裂纹进行了分析．这一数值结果说明平面弹性裂纹应力强度因子的边界元计算方法对有限体中复杂裂纹的有效性,可以揭示双轴载荷及裂纹体几何对应力强度因子的影响．     

Formulation and Application of the Initially Rigid Cohesive Finite Element Method

The presented procedure for cohesive crack propagation is based on an adaptive finite element (FE) implementation, which enables the introduction of cohesive surfaces in dependence on the current crack state. In contrast to already existing formulations, the focus of the present model lies on failure processes that can be described at quasi-static conditions within an implicit framework. Furthermore, an extension for mesh independent crack propagation in terms of an additional mesh adaptive formulation is presented. By the evaluation of the failure criterion considering the preferred crack direction, a new crack tip coordinate is computed and the discretization is accordingly adjusted. The remaining mesh is modified for the new boundary representation. The application of the proposed method is shown by the numerical investigation of a concrete fracture specimen from an experimental research project. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Finite-element modeling of the particle clustering effect in a powder-metallurgy-processed ceramic-particle-reinforced metal matrix composite on its mechanical properties

A new numerical method is proposed to predict the effect of particle clustering on grain boundaries in a ceramic- particle-reinforced metal matrix composite on its mechanical properties, and micromechanical finite-element simulation of stress–strain responses in composites with random and clustered arrangements of ceramic particles are carried out. A particular material modeled and analyzed is a TiC-particle-reinforced Al matrix composite processed by powder metallurgy. A representative volume element of a composite microstructure with 5 vol.% TiC is reconstructed based on the tetrakaidecahedral grain boundary structure by using a modified random sequential adsorption. The model proposed in this study accurately represents the stress concentrations and particle-particle interactions during deformation of the powder-metallurgy-processed composite. A comparison with the random-arrangement model shows that the present numerical approach is more accurate in simulating the behavior of the composite material.     

Self-adaptive FEM numerical modeling of the mild-slope equation

Based on the linear wave theory, the mild-slope equation (MSE) is a preferred mathematical model to simulate nearshore wave propagation. A numerical model to solve the MSE is developed here on the basis of a self-adaptive finite element model (FEM) combined with an iterative method to determine the wave direction angle to the boundary and thus to improve the treatment of the boundary conditions. The numerical resolution of the waves into ideal domains and multidirectional waves through a breakwater gap shows that the numerical model developed here is effective in representing wave absorption at the absorbing boundaries and can be used to simulate multidirectional wave propagation. Finally, the simulated wave distribution in a real harbor shows that the numerical model can be used for engineering practice.     

Crack propagation at bi-material interfaces

There is currently a gap in the understanding of how crack propagation by intergranular versus transgranular fracture varies with changes in material properties and grain size. Much of the prior work in this area has been in terms of LEFM and criterion based on toughness alone. More recent work has shown that a toughness-and-strength approach is required. In this study a strength-and-energy approach is applied to intergranular-versus-transgranular fracture through a cohesive-zone approach implemented in a finite element model. Results show that intergranular fracture becomes more likely, and has an increasing shear component, as grain toughness increases and grain stiffness and grain size decrease. These results can help guide material development. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

矩形弹性夹杂与裂纹相互干扰的边界元分析

使用边界元法研究了无限弹性体中矩形弹性夹杂对曲折裂纹的影响,导出了新的复边界积分方程．通过引入与界面位移密度和面力有关的未知复函数H(t),并使用分部积分技巧,使得夹杂和基体界面处的面力连续性条件自动满足,而边界积分方程减少为2个,且只具有1/r阶奇异性．为了检验该边界元法的正确性和有效性,对典型问题进行了数值计算．所得结果表明:裂纹的应力强度因子随着夹杂弹性模量的增大而减小,软夹杂有利于裂纹的扩展,而刚性较大的夹杂对裂纹有抑制作用．     

Analysis of extension propagation process of interface crack between belts of a radial tire using a finite element method

A radial tire is a very complex structure made from rubber elastomers and fiber–rubber composite materials. During its use, extension propagation of interface crack between belts can occur, which obviously affects its durability and life. In the present paper, a new mathematical model of extension propagation of interface crack in complex composite structures is presented. The model can reveal the extension propagation dependence of interface crack on the relative size of energy release rates at the left and right crack tips and on the interfacial material properties. The extension propagation model of interface crack, Irwin’s virtual crack close technique and the finite element analysis method are used together in simulating numerically the extension propagation process of a interface crack between belts of a radial tire. The present study numerical results show that the extension propagation model of interface crack proposed in this paper can more realistically characterize the complexity of the extension propagation process of interface crack in complex composite structures.     

A Phase Field Approach for Dynamic Fracture

In phase field fracture models cracks are indicated by the value of a scalar field variable which interpolates smoothly between broken and undamaged material. The evolution equation for this crack field is coupled to the mechanical field equations in order to model the mutual interaction between the crack evolution and mechanical quantities. In finite element simulations of crack growth at comparatively slow loading velocities, a quasi-static phase field model yields reasonable results. However, the simulation of fast loading or the nucleation of new cracks challenges the limits of such a formulation. Here, the quasi-static phase field model predicts brutal crack extension with an artificially high crack speed. In this work, we analyze to which extend a dynamic formulation of the mechanical part of the phase field model can overcome this paradox created by the quasi-static formulation. In finite element simulations, the impact of the dynamic effects is studied, and differences between the crack propagation behavior of the quasi-static model and the dynamic formulation are highlighted. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Discontinuous enrichment in finite elements with a partition of unity method

A technique is presented to model arbitrary discontinuities in the finite element framework by locally enriching a displacement-based approximation through a partition of unity method. This technique allows discontinuities to be represented independently of element boundaries. The method is applied to fracture mechanics, in which crack discontinuities are represented using both a jump function and the asymptotic near-tip fields. As specific examples, we consider cracks and crack growth in two-dimensional elasticity and Mindlin–Reissner plates. A domain form of the J-integral is also derived to extract the moment intensity factors. The accuracy and utility of the method is also discussed.     

Energy driven crack propagation at finite strains based on the embedded strong discontinuity approach

New advances in three-dimensional finite element modeling of crack propagation at finite strains are presented. The proposed numerical model is based on the Enhanced Assumed Strain concept. The enhanced part of the deformation gradient is associated with a displacement discontinuity. In contrast to previous works, a new, energy based criterion for crack propagation is presented. The necessity for a tracking algorithm for the crack path is avoided by using more than one discontinuity within each finite element. This leads to a strictly local formulation, i.e., no information about the neighboring elements are required. Further advantages of such a formulation are a symmetric tangent stiffness matrix and the reduction of locking effects. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Finite Element Modelling of Cracks Based on the Partition of Unity Method

In this paper a finite element model for the analysis of brittle materials in the post cracking regime is presented. The model allows the representation of failure zones several times smaller than the structure itself using relatively coarse finite element meshes. The formulation is based on the partition of unity method. Discontinuous shape functions are used to enrich the continuous approximation of the displacement field where a crack has opened [2]. The magnitude of the displacement jump is determined by extra degrees of freedom at existing nodes. The crack path is completely independent of the structure of the mesh and is continuous across element boundaries. To model inelastic deformations around the crack tip a cohesive crack model is used. A representative numerical example illustrates the performance of the proposed model.     

Study on the dynamics of the double cantilever-beam specimen of decagonal Al-Ni-Co quasicrystals

This paper investigated dynamic initiation of crack growth and crack fast propagation for the double cantilever-beam specimen (DCB) of two-dimensional decagonal Al-Ni-Co quasicrystals. The elasto-/hydro-dynamic model for wave propagation and diffusion together with their interaction is adopted. Numerical results of stresses, displacements and dynamic stress intensity factor are obtained by the finite difference method. Dynamic initiation of crack growth and crack fast propagation are discussed in detail in which the latter is a nonlinear problem arising from moving boundary effect, which is in particular explored.     

Creep damage modeling of a polycrystalline material

A polycrystalline material is investigated under creep conditions within the framework of continuum micromechanics. Geometrical 3D model of a polycrystalline microstructure is represented as a unit cell with grains of random crystallographical orientation and shape. Thickness of the plains, separating neighboring grains in the unit cell, can have non-zero value. Obtained geometry assigns a special zone in the vicinity of grain boundaries, possessing unordered crystalline structure. A mechanical behavior of this zone should allow sliding of the adjacent grains. Within the grain interior crystalline structure is ordered, what prescribes cubic symmetry of a material. The anisotropic material model with the orthotropic symmetry is implemented in ABAQUS and used to assign elastic and creep behavior of both the grain interior and grain boundary material. Appropriate parameters set allows transition from the orthotropy to the cubic symmetry for the grain interior. Material parameters for the grain interior are identified from creep tests for single crystal copper. Model parameters for the grain boundary are set from the physical considerations and numerical model validation according to the experimental data of the grain boundary sliding in a polycrystalline copper [2]. As the result of analysis representative number of grains and grain boundary thickness in the unit cell are recommended. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A generalized cohesive element technique for arbitrary crack motion

A computational method for arbitrary crack motion through a finite element mesh, termed as the generalized cohesive element technique, is presented. In this method, an element with an internal discontinuity is replaced by two superimposed elements with a combination of original and imaginary nodes. Conventional cohesive zone modeling, limited to crack propagation along the edges of the elements, is extended to incorporate the intra-element mixed-mode crack propagation. Proposed numerical technique has been shown to be quite accurate, robust and mesh insensitive provided the cohesive zone ahead of the crack tip is resolved adequately. A series of numerical examples is presented to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed method.     

Simulation of Crack Propagation under Small-Scale Yielding by means of a Non-local GTN-Model

Today, the local approach to fracture is widely applied to simulate the failure of specimens. For ductile damage processes the Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman model is the quasi-standard. In the last time non-local extensions allowed a mesh-size independent simulation of crack growth. However, most publications dealing with this subject focus upon the convergence regarding global quantities such as the load-displacement relation. Minor attention is paid to the fields directly at the crack tip. Correspondingly, the interrelationship between the intrinsic length of the model and relevant microscopic damage processes at the crack tip is only partly established until now. In the present study the crack propagation is simulated for an implicitly gradient enriched GTN-model within a boundary layer in order to overcome influences of the specimen geometry. The different stages of damage evolution are resolved by a fine mesh. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)