An Experimental Study of Mixed Mode Crack Initiation and Growth in Functionally Graded Materials

Quasi-static mixed mode crack initiation and growth in functionally graded materials (FGMs) was studied through fracture experiments on polymer-based FGMs manufactured by selective ultraviolet irradiation poly(ethylene carbon monoxide)—a photo-sensitive copolymer that becomes more brittle and stiffer under ultraviolet irradiation. The objective of the study was to determine whether crack kinking criteria for homogeneous materials, e.g., maximum hoop stress criterion, also hold for FGMs. Single edge notched tension specimens with different spatial variations of Young's modulus, failure stress and failure strain, were tested. Near tip mode mixity was introduced either by inclining the crack to the remote loading direction, as in the case of homogeneous materials, or to the direction of material gradient, or both. A full-field digital image correlation technique was used to measure in real-time the displacement field around the crack tip while it propagated through the graded material, and to extract the fracture parameters of stress intensity factor K _I and K _II , and the T-stress. It was found that the nonsingular T-stress term in the asymptotic expansion for stresses plays a very important role in accurately measuring fracture parameters. It was also found that the maximum tangential stress criterion can be applied to the case of FGMs to predict crack kinking provided that the effect of the T-stress is accounted for and the process zone size is small compared to the intrinsic material gradient length scale. However, for accurate crack path prediction at a length scale comparable to the material gradient, detailed material property information is required. In general, the crack will propagate towards a region that exhibits less fracture toughness, but, unlike the case of homogeneous materials, along a path where K _II is not necessarily equal to zero.     

Effect of T-stress on crack growth under mixed mode I–III loading

For a crack subjected to combined mode I and III loading the influence of a T-stress is analyzed, with focus on crack growth. The solid is a ductile metal modelled as elastic–plastic, and the fracture process is represented in terms of a cohesive zone model. The analyzes are carried out for conditions of small scale yielding, with the elastic solution applied as boundary conditions on the outer edge of the region analyzed. For several combinations of the stress intensity factors K_I and K_III and the T-stress crack growth resistance curves are calculated numerically in order to determine the fracture toughness. In all situations it is found that a negative T-stress adds to the fracture toughness, whereas a positive T-stress has rather little effect. For given values of K_I and T the minimum fracture toughness corresponds to K_III = 0.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>-stress estimation by the two-parameter approach for a specimen with a V-shaped notch

In the present research, T-stress solutions are provided for a V-shaped notch in the case of surface defects in a pressurised pipeline. The V-shaped notch is analyzed with the use of the finite element method by the Castem2000 commercial software to determine the stress distribution ahead of the notch tip. The notch aspect ratio is varied. In contrast to a crack, it is found that the T-stress is not constant and depends on the distance from the notch tip. To estimate the T-stress in the case of a notch, a novel method is developed, inspired by the volumetric method approach proposed by Pluvinage. The method is based on averaging the T-stress over the effective distance ahead of the notch tip. The effective distance is determined by the point with the minimum stress gradient in the fracture process zone. This approach is successfully used to quantify the constraints of the notch-tip fields for various geometries and loading conditions. Moreover, the proposed T-stress estimation creates a basis for analyzing the crack path under mixed-mode loading from the viewpoint of the two-parameter fracture mechanics.     

A novel technique for the fabrication of laboratory scale model functionally graded materials

In this work, the authors describe the design, fabrication and testing of model functionally graded materials (FGMs). The inhomogeneous property variations were generated by altering material properties through selective ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Poly(ethylene co-carbon monoxide) (ECO) was chosen to make the FGMs because of its rapid degradation under UV light. Irradiated ECO becomes stiffer, stronger and more brittle with increasing irradiation time. Through a series of tension tests, the authors characterized the mechanical behavior of the specific ECO used as a function of UV exposure time. Furthermore, by controlling exposure time, specimens with continuously and discretely varying mechanical properties were produced. The resulting graded materials exhibited a Young's modulus that varied from about 160 MPa to 250 MPa and a strain to failure that varied from about 900 percent to 10 percent over the width in a 150 mm wide specimen. Microhardness measurements were used to determine the differences between discretely and continuously varying mechanical properties.     

Mixed Mode Dynamic Fracture in Particulate Reinforced Functionally Graded Materials

A detailed analytical and experimental investigation is presented to understand the dynamic fracture behavior of functionally graded materials (FGMs) under mode I and mixed mode loading conditions. Crack-tip stress, strain and displacement fields for a mixed mode crack propagating at an angle from the direction of property gradation were obtained through an asymptotic analysis coupled with a displacement potential approach. This was followed by a comprehensive series of experiments to gain further insight into the behavior of propagating cracks in FGMs. Dynamic photoelasticity coupled with high-speed photography was used to obtain crack tip velocities and dynamic stress fields around the propagating cracks. Birefringent coatings were used to conduct the photoelastic study due to the opaqueness of the FGMs. Dynamic fracture experiments were performed using different specimen geometries to develop a dynamic constitutive fracture relationship between the mode I dynamic stress intensity factor (K _ID ) and crack-tip velocity ( ) for FGMs with the crack moving in the direction of increasing fracture toughness. A similar -K _ID relation was also obtained for matrix material (polyester) for comparison purposes. The results obtained show that crack propagation velocities in FGMs were about 80% higher than the polyester matrix. Crack arrest toughness was found to be about 10% lower than the value of local fracture toughness in FGMs.     

Dynamic curving cracks in functionally graded materials under thermo-mechanical loading

Mixed-mode dynamic crack growth along an arbitrarily smoothly varying path in functionally graded materials (FGMs) under thermo-mechanical loading is studied. The property gradation in FGMs is considered by varying shear-modulus, mass density, thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion exponentially along the gradation direction. Asymptotic analysis in conjunction with displacement potentials is used to develop the stress fields around propagating cracks in FGMs. Asymptotic temperature fields are developed first for the exponential variation of thermal conductivity and later these temperature fields are used to derive thermo-mechanical stress fields for a curving crack in FGMs. Using these thermo-mechanical stress fields, various components of the stresses are developed and the effect of curvature parameters, temperature and gradation on these stresses are discussed. Finally, using the minimum strain energy density criterion, the effect of curvature parameters, crack-tip speeds, non-homogeneity values and temperature gradients on crack growth directions are determined and discussed.     

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.     

The elastic T-stress for slightly curved or kinked cracks

This work presents a solution for the elastic T-stress at the tip of a slightly curved or kinked crack based on a perturbation approach. Compared to other exact or numerical solutions the present solution is accurate for considerable deviations from straightness. The T-stress variation as crack extends along a curved trajectory is subsequently examined. It is predicted that T-stress always keeps negative during crack extension when the crack has an initial negative T-stress. In the case of a positive T-stress and non-zero first and second stress intensity factors initially accompanying the crack, the T-stress is not positive with increasing the extension length until a threshold is exceeded. Based on directional stability criterion with respect to the sign of the T-stress, this result implies that for a straight crack with a positive T-stress, the crack extension path will not turn immediately and instead keep a stable growth until a critical length is reached. This prediction is consistent with experimental observations.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>-stress analysis for a Griffith crack in a magnetoelectroelastic solid

T-stress as an important parameter characterizing the stress field around a cracked tip has attracted much attention. This paper concerns the T-stress near a cracked tip in a magnetoelectroelastic solid. By applying the Fourier transform, we solve the associated mixed boundary-value problem. Adopting crack-faces electromagnetic boundary conditions nonlinearly dependent on the crack opening displacement, coupled dual integral equations are derived. Then, the closed-form solution for the T-stress is obtained. A comparison of the T stresses for a cracked magnetoelectroelastic solid and for a cracked purely elastic material is made. Obtained results reveal that in addition to applied mechanical loading, the T-stress is dependent on electric and magnetic loadings for a vacuum crack.     

Analysis of fracture initiation angle in some cracked ceramics using the generalized maximum tangential stress criterion

Brittle fracture in ceramics sometimes occurs under combined opening-sliding (or mixed mode I/II) crack deformation. In this paper, a generalized maximum tangential stress criterion is employed for predicting the fracture initiation angle under mixed mode I/II loading in some brittle ceramics including alumina, zirconia, soda lime glass and three silicon based ceramics. The experimental results reported for the fracture angles in these ceramics have been obtained from fracture tests on the centrally cracked circular disc (often called the Brazilian disc). Very good agreement is shown to exist between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions. According to the fracture model, the mixed mode fracture angle is strongly dependent on the elastic T-stress in the tested ceramics. The negative T-stress that exists in the Brazilian disc specimen can be the main influencing parameter for decreasing the fracture initiation angle in the investigated ceramics.     

Symmetric-Galerkin boundary element analysis of the dynamic T-stress for the interaction of a crack with an auxetic inclusion

In this work, the symmetric-Galerkin boundary element method (SGBEM) for 2-D elastodynamics in the Laplace-space frequency domain (Laplace domain) is employed to study the dynamic stress intensity factors (DSIFs) and the dynamic T-stress (DTS) during the interaction between a crack and an auxetic inclusion under impact loading conditions. It is found that, while the auxeticity has virtually no effect on the DSIFs, its influence on the DTS is noticeable. This finding is particularly important as it implies the imperative need of fracture criteria based on both the DSIFs and DTS for predicting crack growth in composite materials with auxetic phases.     

Three-dimensional mixed-mode stress intensity factors for cracks in functionally graded materials using enriched finite elements

Three-dimensional enriched finite elements are used to compute mixed-mode stress intensity factors (SIFs) for three-dimensional cracks in elastic functionally graded materials (FGMs) that are subject to general mixed-mode loading and constraint conditions. The method, which advantageously does not require special mesh configuration/modifications and post-processing of finite element results, is an enhancement of previous developments applied so far on isotropic homogeneous and isotropic interface cracks. The spatial variation of FGM material properties is taken into account at the level of element integration points. To validate the developed method, two- and three-dimensional mixed-mode fracture problems are selected from the literature for comparison. Two-dimensional cases include: inclined central crack in a large FGM medium under uniform tensile strain and stress loadings, a slanted crack in a finite-size FGM plate under exponentially varying tensile stress loading and an edge crack in a finite-size plate under shear traction load. The three-dimensional example models a deflected surface crack in a finite-size FGM plate under uniform tensile stress loading. Comparisons between current results and those from analytical and other numerical methods yield good agreement. Thus, it is concluded that the developed three-dimensional enriched finite elements are capable of accurately computing mixed-mode fracture parameters for cracks in FGMs.     

Asymptotic analysis of transient curved crack in functionally graded materials

Transient mixed-mode elastodynamic crack growth along arbitrary smoothly varying paths in functionally graded materials (FGMs) is considered. The property gradation in FGMs is considered by varying shear modulus and mass density exponentially along the gradation direction. Crack tip out of plane displacement fields and their gradients are developed for propagating curved cracks of arbitrary velocity using asymptotic approach. The mode-mixity due to the inclination of curved crack with respect to property gradient is accommodated in the analysis through superposition of the opening and shear modes. The expansion of the displacement fields and their gradients around the crack-tip are derived in powers of radial coordinates with the coefficients of expansion depending on the instantaneous value of the local curvature of the crack path, time derivatives of crack-tip speed, and time derivative of mode-I and mode-II stress intensity factors. The effect of the transient terms instantaneous local curvature, crack-tip speed, time derivatives of crack-tip speed, and time derivative of mode-I and mode-II stress intensity factors on the contours of constant out of plane displacement are also discussed.     

Stress-intensity factors for surface cracks in functionally graded materials under mode-I thermomechanical loading

This paper describes the development and application of a general domain integral method to obtain J-values along crack fronts in three-dimensional configurations of isotropic, functionally graded materials (FGMs). The present work considers mode-I, linear-elastic response of cracked specimens subjected to thermomechanical loading, although the domain integral formulation accommodates elastic–plastic behavior in FGMs. Finite element solutions and domain integral J-values for a two-dimensional edge crack show good agreement with available analytical solutions for both tension loading and temperature gradients. A displacement correlation technique provides pointwise stress-intensity values along semi-elliptical surface cracks in FGMs for comparison with values derived from the proposed domain integral. Numerical implementation and mesh refinement issues to maintain path independent J-values are explored. The paper concludes with a parametric study that provides a set of stress-intensity factors for semi-elliptical surface cracks covering a practical range of crack sizes, aspect ratios and material property gradations under tension, bending and spatially-varying temperature loads.     

Nonlocal theory solution of two collinear cracks in the functionally graded materials

In this paper, the interaction of two collinear cracks in functionally graded materials subjected to a uniform anti-plane shear loading is investigated by means of nonlocal theory. The traditional concepts of the nonlocal theory are extended to solve the fracture problem of functionally graded materials. To make the analysis tractable, it is assumed that the shear modulus varies exponentially with the coordinate vertical to the crack. By use of the Fourier transform, the problem can be solved with the help of a pair of triple integral equations, in which the unknown variable is the displacement on the crack surfaces. To solve the triple integral equations, the displacement on the crack surfaces is expanded in a series of Jacobi polynomials. Unlike the classical elasticity solutions, it is found that no stress singularity is present near the crack tips. The nonlocal elastic solutions yield a finite hoop stress at the crack tip, thus allowing us to use the maximum stress as a fracture criterion in functionally graded materials. The magnitude of the finite stress field depends on the crack length, the distance between two cracks, the parameter describing the functionally graded materials and the lattice parameter of the materials.     

An improved numerical method for computation of stress intensity factors along 3D curved non-planar cracks in FGMs

A simplified strategy based on the interaction energy integral is implemented in the finite element framework to evaluate mixed mode Stress Intensity Factors (SIFs) in 3D non-planar cracks. The proposed approach does not require any a priori information about crack front and crack surface curvatures, therefore different arbitrary non-planar cracks can be easily investigated. In particular, both conical and lens-shaped cracks in homogeneous materials are considered as case studies in order to demonstrate the accuracy of the present approach. Finally, the computational strategy is extended to Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) and the effect of graded material properties (Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio) on the SIFs is studied in detail.     

T-stress evaluation for slightly curved crack using perturbation method

A general formulation for evaluating the T-stress at crack tips in a curved crack is introduced. In the formulation, a singular integral equation with the distribution of dislocation along the curve is suggested. For a slightly curved crack, a small parameter is generally assumed for the crack configuration. By using the assumption for the small parameter, the perturbation method is suggested and it reduces the singular integral equation into many successive singular integral equations. If the cracked plate has a remote loading and the curve configuration is a quadratic function, the mentioned successive singular integral equations can be solved in a closed form. Therefore, the solution for the T-stress in a closed form is obtained. The obtained results for T-stress are shown by figures. It is found that if the involved parameter is not too small, the influence of the curve configuration is significant. Comparison for T-stresses obtained from a quadratic-shaped curved crack and an arc crack is presented.     

Effect of T-stress on the mode-I fracture toughness of concrete

T-stress expressions are provided for three-point bending (TPB) beams and compact tension (CT) specimens and then its influence on mode I fracture toughness of concrete is investigated. The study shows that T-stress is dependent on the specimen's geometry and the material's property as well, and for TPB and CT specimens of regular size, T-stress is so small that its consequences can be neglected. The study also indicates that concrete specimen size should be carefully chosen to make sure the existence of K-dominance ahead of the crack tip, thus fracture toughness extracted from these specimen configurations can be reliable.     

功能梯度条共线Griffith裂纹反平面剪切冲击

研究正交各向异性功能梯度条中多个共线Griffith裂纹的反平面剪切冲击问题．材料两个方向的剪切模量假定按比例同时以特定的梯度变化．采用Laplace和Fourier变换及引进位错密度函数将问题化为求解Cauchy奇异积方程，进而化为代数方程数值求解．考查材料非均匀性、正交性和功能梯度条高度对裂尖动态断裂特性的影响．动应力强度因子的数值结果显示：增加剪切模量的梯度和(或)增加垂直于裂纹面方向的剪切模量，可以抑制动应力强度因子的幅度；若功能梯度条较薄，增大条形域的高度也可抑制裂纹扩展．