Finite Element Analysis on the Stress Intensity Factor under Combined Bending and Torsion Loading

The stress intensity factor (SIF) under the combined bending and torsion loading were studied using a finite element (FE) analysis ANSYS. A 20-node iso-parametric element was used to model the crack tip and the square-root singularity of stress/strain was employed by shifting the mid-side node to the ¼ position to the crack tip. Different crack geometries and loading ratios were used and due to the non-symmetrical analysis involved, a full FE model was developed and analyzed. Remotely applied bending and torsion moment were subjected to the FE model and the SIF were then calculated along the crack front under such loadings. The SIF calculated using the finite element analysis (FEA) was compared with those results obtained using an effective combined SIF method. According to the comparisons, the discrepancies were dependent on the normalized coordinate, x/h, the relative crack depth, a/D, the crack aspect ratio, a/b and the loading ratio, .