Comparison of Computational Crack Path Predictions with Experimental Findings for a Quarter-Circular Surface Crack in a Shaft under Torsion

In this paper the rather complex 3D fatigue crack growth behaviour in a shaft with a quarter-circular crack under torsion is investigated by the aid of the programme ADAPCRACK3D and by application of a recently developed 3D fracture criterion. It will be shown that the computationally simulated results of fatigue crack growth in the FE-model of the shaft are in good agreement with experimental findings for the development of two anti-symmetric cracks, which originate from the two crack front corner points, that is where the crack front intersects the free surface of the cylindrical laboratory test-specimens. Consequently, also for this case with a rather complex 3D crack growth of two anti-symmetric cracks, the functionality of the ADAPCRACK3Dprogramme and the validity of the proposed 3D fracture criterion can be stated.