A model of a belt chamber cracking based on crack profiles calculations

Abstract

The problem of a Belt chamber matrix cracking is presented. The influence of crack surface quality on the effective values of near crack tip stress is discussed. It is shown that under working conditions of the vessel, the existing shear friction between upper and lower crack surfaces caused by crack surface roughness can prevent the crack surface sliding displacement. Therefore, the control variable for matrix cracking is the value of stress intensity factor K_I corresponding to normal node of loading only. The calculations are performed by finite element method within the range of linear elastic fracture mechanics.