Computation of thermal fracture parameters for orthotropic functionally graded materials using Jk-integral

This article introduces a computational method based on the J_k-integral for mixed-mode fracture analysis of orthotropic functionally graded materials (FGMs) that are subjected to thermal stresses. The generalized definition of the J_k-integral is recast into a domain independent form composed of line and area integrals by utilizing the constitutive relations of plane orthotropic thermoelasticity. Implementation of the domain independent J_k-integral is realized through a numerical procedure developed by means of the finite element method. The outlined computational approach enables the evaluation of the modes I and II stress intensity factors, the energy release rate, and the T-stress. The developed technique is validated numerically by considering two different problems, the first of which is the problem of an embedded crack in an orthotropic FGM layer subjected to steady-state thermal stresses; and the second one is that of periodic cracks under transient thermal loading. Comparisons of the mixed-mode stress intensity factors evaluated by the J_k-integral based method to those calculated through the displacement correlation technique (DCT) and to those available in the literature point out that, the proposed form of the J_k-integral possesses the required domain independence and leads to numerical results of high accuracy. Further results are presented to illustrate the influences of the geometric and material constants on the thermal fracture parameters.     

Associated path independent J-integrals for separating mixed modes

The displacement field in two dimensional elasticity is separated into symmetrical and antisymmetrical parts u_i = u^I_i + u^II_i. These components are new elastostatic fields and lead to two path independent integrals of the J-integral type. The integrals J_I J_II are respectively the symmetrical and antisymmetrical components of the J-integral of Rice: J = J_I + J_II. Use of the associated path independent integrals allows K_I, and K_II to be calculated separately.     

On the use of stretched-exponential functions for both linear viscoelastic creep and stress relaxation

The use of the stretched-exponential function to represent both the relaxation function g(t)=(G(t)-G _∞)/(G ₀-G _∞) and the retardation function r(t) = (J _∞+t/η-J(t))/(J _∞-J ₀) of linear viscoelasticity for a given material is investigated. That is, if g(t) is given by exp (?(t/τ)^β), can r(t) be represented as exp (?(t/λ)^µ) for a linear viscoelastic fluid or solid? Here J(t) is the creep compliance, G(t) is the shear modulus, η is the viscosity (η^?1 is finite for a fluid and zero for a solid), G _∞ is the equilibrium modulus G _e for a solid or zero for a fluid, J _∞ is 1/G _e for a solid or the steady-state recoverable compliance for a fluid, G ₀= 1/J ₀ is the instantaneous modulus, and t is the time. It is concluded that g(t) and r(t) cannot both exactly by stretched-exponential functions for a given material. Nevertheless, it is found that both g(t) and r(t) can be approximately represented by stretched-exponential functions for the special case of a fluid with exponents β=µ in the range 0.5 to 0.6, with the correspondence being very close with β=µ=0.5 and λ=2τ. Otherwise, the functions g(t) and r(t) differ, with the deviation being marked for solids. The possible application of a stretched-exponential to represent r(t) for a critical gel is discussed.     

A generalized stress intensity factor to be applied to rounded V-shaped notches

In the presence of sharp (zero radius) V-shaped notches the notch stress intensity factors (N-SIFs) quantify the intensities of the asymptotic linear elastic stress distributions. They are proportional to the limit of the mode I or II stress components multiplied by the distance powered 1 − λ_i from the notch tip, λ_i being Williams’ eigenvalues. When the notch tip radius is different from zero, the definition is no longer valid from a theoretical point of view and the characteristic, singular, sharp-notch field diverges from the rounded-notch solution very next to the notch. Nevertheless, N-SIFs continue to be used as parameters governing fracture if the notch root radius is sufficiently small with respect to the notch depth.Taking advantage of a recent analytical formulation able to describe stress distributions ahead of rounded V-notches, the paper gives a generalized form for the notch stress intensity factors, in which not only the opening angle but also the tip radius dimension is explicitly involved. Such parameters quantify the stress redistribution due to the root radius with respect to the sharp notch case.     

A finite element investigation of the effect of crack tip constraint on hole growth under mode i and mixed mode loading

In this work, the effect of constraint on hole growth near a notch tip in a ductile material under mode I and mixed mode loading (involving modes I and II) is investigated. To this end, a 2-D plane strain, modified boundary layer formulation is employed in which the mixed mode elastic K–T field is prescribed as remote boundary conditions. A finite element procedure that accounts for finite deformations and rotations is used along with an appropriate version of J₂ flow theory of plasticity with small elastic strains. Several analyses are carried out corresponding to different values of T-stress and remote elastic mode-mixity. The interaction between the notch and hole is studied by examining the distribution of hydrostatic stress and equivalent plastic strain in the ligament between the notch tip and the hole, as well as the growth of the hole. The implications of the above results on ductile fracture initiation due to micro-void coalescence are discussed.     

Analysis of dynamic mixed-mode isochromatics

The mixed-mode, elastodynamic state of stress in the neighborhood of a constant-velocity crack tip is used to generate numerically unsymmetric isochromatics. Unsymmetry associated with the third-order terms of a mixed-mode stress field, with and without the Mode II singular stress term, is also investigated. In extractingK _I from an unsymmetric isochromatic pattern, errors in the Mode I fracture parameters due to the assumed presence ofK _II in aK _I stress field were found to be significant when data are taken more than 4 mm from the crack tip. Paper was presented at V International Congress on Experimental Mechanics held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on June 10–15, 1984.     

‘Generalized Burgers' equation’ for nonlinear viscoelastic waves

This paper deals with nonlinear longitudinal waves in a viscoelastic medium in which the viscoelastic relaxation function has the form K(t) = const. t^-v (0<v<1). This sort of slow relaxation may be more appropriate for polymers than the often used exponential relaxation. For a far field evolution of unindirectional waves, a “generalized Burgers' equation” is obtained, which is of a form with the second derivative in the usual Burgers' equation replaced by the derivative of real order 1 + v. The steady shock solution and self-similar pulse solution to this equation are discussed. In both cases numerical solutions are presented and analytic results are obtained for the asymptotic behaviors of the solutions. It is found that both shock and pulse solutions rise exponentially, but in their tails they have slow, algebraic decay.     

Asymptotic expansion of a class of integral transforms via Mellin transforms

An asymptotic expansion for large λ of functions I(λ) defined by definite integrals of the form $$I(\lambda ) = \mathop \smallint \limits_0^\infty h(\lambda t)f(t)dt$$ is obtained in the case where h(t)=O(exp(-βt ^p )) as t→∞ with β, ?>0. To obtain the expansion for such integral transforms, I(λ) is first represented as a contour integral involving M [h; z], the Mellin transform of the kernel h(t) evaluated at z, and M[f; 1-z], the Mellin transform of the function f(t) evaluated at 1-z. By assuming a rather general asymptotic expansion for f(t) near t=0, it is shown that M[f; 1-z] can be continued into the right-half plane as a meromorphic function with poles that can be located and classified. The desired asymptotic expansion of I is then obtained by systematically moving the contour in its integral representation to the right. Each term in the expansion arises as a residue contribution corresponding to a pole of M[f; 1-z]. It is then shown how the expansion, originally found for large positive λ, can be extended to complex λ. Finally several examples are considered which illustrate the scope of our expansion theorems.     

An experimental analysis of displacement field of mixed mode crack

In this paper, the characteristic properties ofv (y-direction displacement) field surrounding the tip of a mixed mode crack are studied. These properties can be used to evaluate the rigid body rotation of the crack tip, theK _I SIF and the ratio ofK _II SIF toK _I.The authors employ a film to record the displacement information based on the technique of moire interferometry with sticking films. By using the data taken from the moire pattern and treating them with the damping least square method, all of the parameters of the crack can be obtained accurately.     

Similarity reductions and exact solutions of generalized Bretherton equation with time-dependent coefficients

In this paper, we apply Lie-group formalism to the generalized Bretherton equation with variable coefficients u _tt +α(t)u _xx +β(t)u _xxxx +δ(t)u ^m +θ(t)u ⁿ =0, to investigate the symmetries. We derive the infinitesimals and the admissible forms of the coefficients that admit the classical symmetry group. The ordinary differential equations deduced from the optimal system of subalgebras are further studied and some exact solutions are obtained.     

How ‘mixed’ is dynamic mixed-mode crack propagation? — A dynamic photoelastic study

Dynamic photoelastic fringe recordings associated with rapid curved crack propagation, crack division and the interaction between moving cracks and elastic waves show global dynamic mixed-mode crack-tip fringe patterns. When analysed by means of K-determination procedures an ‘apparent’ dynamic mixed-mode ratio K₂/K₁ may be denned which turns out to be a function of the particular selection of measurement data points. This paper compares experimentally recorded fringe data with numerical results in an attempt to resolve the dynamic photoelastic mixed-mode crack problem.     

Asymptotic fields around an interfacial crack with a cohesive zone ahead of the crack tip

This paper considers an interfacial crack with a cohesive zone ahead of the crack tip in a linearly elastic isotropic bi-material and derives the mixed-mode asymptotic stress and displacement fields around the crack and cohesive zone under plane deformation conditions (plane stress or plane strain). The field solution is obtained using elliptic coordinates and complex functions and can be represented in terms of a complete set of complex eigenfunction terms. The imaginary portion of the eigenvalues is characterized by a bi-material mismatch parameter ε = arctanh(β)/π, where β is a Dundurs parameter, and the resulting fields do not contain stress singularity. The behaviors of “Mode I” type and “Mode II” type fields based on dominant eigenfunction terms are discussed in detail. For completeness, the counterpart for the Mode III solution is included in an appendix.     

Dynamic fracture of a kane-mindlin plate

We study dynamic crack problems for an elastic plate by using Kane-Mindlin's kinematic assumptions. The general solutions of the Laplace transformed displacements and stresses are first derived. Path independent integrals for stationary cracks subjected to transient loads and steadily growing cracks are deduced. For a stationary crack in a very thin plate subjected to impact loads, the crack tip dynamic stress intensity factor (DSIF), K₁(t), is related to the far field plane stress one, K₁⁰(t), by where ν is Poisson's ratio. For a crack steadily growing with speed V, the crack tip DSIF, K₁(V), is given by where K₁⁰(V) is the plane stress DSIF and A(V) and B(V) are known functions of V. These results are applied to compute the DSIF for a semi-infinite stationary crack in an unbounded plate subjected to impact pressure on the crack faces. The results of DSIF for a finite crack in an infinite plate under uniform impact pressure on the crack surfaces show that for each plate thickness, the maximum DSIF is higher than that for the plane stress case.     

Mode II stress intensity factors for a crack parallel to the surface of an elastic half-space subjected to a moving point load

The direction of propagation of rolling contact fatigue cracks is observed to depend upon the direction of motion of the load. In this paper approximate calculations are described of the variation of Mode II stress intensity factors at each tip of a subsurface crack, which lies parallel to the surface of an elastic half-space, due to a load moving over the surface. In particular the effect of frictional locking of the crack faces under the load is investigated. In consequence of frictional locking the range of SIF at the trailing tip ΔK_T is found to be about 30% greater than that of the leading tip ΔK_L, which is consistent with observations that subsurface cracks propagate predominantly in the direction of motion of the load over the surface. The effects on k_t and k_lof crack length, crack face friction, traction forces at the surface and residual shear stresses are also investigated.     

Computing lower and upper bounds on stress intensity factors in bimaterials

This paper presents a finite element approach for finding complementary bounds of stress intensity factors (SIFs) in bimaterials. The SIF is formulated as an explicit computable linear function of displacements by means of the two-point extrapolation method. An appropriate and computable form of the SIF plays a crucial role in the dual problem involved in the computing procedure of both lower and upper bounds. In our discussions, computable forms of stress intensity factors, K₀ and K_r, are derived, which are related to the energy release rate, and the ratio of the open mode and shear mode SIFs, respectively. Based on a posteriori finite element error estimation, a bounding procedure is used to compute the bounds on the two stress intensity factors. Finally, bounds on the SIFs in a bimaterial interface crack problem are provided to verify the procedure.     

Some exact solutions for rotating flows of a generalized Burgers’ fluid in cylindrical domains

The velocity field and the adequate shear stress corresponding to the flow of a generalized Burgers’ fluid model, between two infinite co-axial cylinders, are determined by means of Laplace and finite Hankel transforms. The motion is due to the inner cylinder that applies a time dependent torsional shear to the fluid. The solutions that have been obtained, presented in series form in terms of usual Bessel functions J₁( ? ), J₂( ? ), Y₁( ? ) and Y₂( ? ), satisfy all imposed initial and boundary conditions. Moreover, the corresponding solutions for Burgers’, Oldroyd-B, Maxwell, second grade, Newtonian fluids and large-time transient solutions for generalized Burgers’ fluid are also obtained as special cases of the present general solutions. The effect of various parameters on large-time and transient solutions of generalized Burgers’ fluid is also discussed. Furthermore, for small values of the material parameters, λ₂ and λ₄ or λ₁, λ₂, λ₃ and λ₄, the general solutions corresponding to generalized Burgers’ fluids are going to those for Oldroyd-B and Newtonian fluids, respectively. Finally, the influence of the pertinent parameters on the fluid motion, as well as a comparison between models, is shown by graphical illustrations.