Papers by Keyword: Crack Branching

Abstract: Scaling regularities that reveal the power law statistics of fragmentation and self-similarity of damage-failure transitions are linked to specific type of critical phenomena in ensembles of typical mesoscopic defects – structural-scaling transition. Taking into account nonlinearity of damage-failure transition the scaling effects were explained as the consequence of subjection of damage kinetics to the intermediate asymptotical (self-similar) solution. This solution has the nature of multiscale blow-up dissipative structures, represents the set of collective modes of defects responsible for the damage localization stage. Original in-situ experiments supported the assumption concerning the role of multiscale blow-up collective modes of defects in qualitative different scenario of dynamic crack propagation, failure of shocked materials, fragmentation statistics.

Abstract: Hybrid material systems are designed by the specific combination of different materials. As a result, expanded property profiles can be achieved, which would not be possible with monolithic material solutions. For lightweight, high strength and high rigidity, complex shaped structural components, which are used in the automotive industry and in aerospace, hybrid material systems offer an outstanding potential. A comprehensive understanding regarding the interaction of the individual components of the hybrid material is of great importance for a more efficient design of future structures. In this work, existing hybrid solutions for industrial applications and those, which are subject of current research, are analyzed and categorized first. Intrinsic and extrinsic material combinations are considered at different levels, ranging from hybrid laminates on shell level to complex hybrid structures on component level. Based on the situation analysis, different hybrid solutions are evaluated and compared considering the requirements of the automotive industry. Furthermore, the associated physical mechanisms which are responsible for the respective property profile are considered and explained systematically. The long-term objective of the work is to establish a methodology to derive the necessary physical mechanisms and, based on that, to derive optimal hybrid solutions for desired property profiles.

Abstract: Fatigue crack propagation behaviors in a duplex stainless steel have been studied using an in-situ SEM/EBSD fatigue test and a conventional da/dN test. Crack propagation behaviors in grain, effect of Schmid factor, propagation cross the grain or phase boundaries have been discussed. Crack propagation occurs mainly in the grains with a high Schmid factor, but the crack can also propagate in the grains with very small Schmid factor. Crack deflection occurs mainly at the phase boundaries, but crack branching occurs mainly in the grains due to the dislocation slip. In-situ SEM/EBSD fatigue test confirms that crack propagation deflection can lead to a decrease in crack propagation rate. Formation of crack branches can significantly reduce the crack propagation rate, which can cause crack growth retardation in the main crack path in the worst case. The crack branches formed are usually not ideal. They can propagate almost transversely to the main crack direction with a mode II stress intensity factor, SIF, and a rate that is much higher than that of the main crack.

Abstract: The behavior of concrete structures is strongly influenced by the loading rate. Compared to quasi-static loading concrete loaded by impact loading acts in a different way. First, there is a strain-rate influence on strength, stiffness, and ductility, and, second, there are inertia forces activated. Both influences are clearly demonstrated in experiments. For concrete structures, which exhibit damage and fracture phenomena, the failure mode and cracking pattern depend on loading rate. Moreover, theoretical and experimental investigations indicate that after the crack reaches critical speed of propagation there is crack branching. The present paper focuses on 3D finite-element study of the crack propagation of the concrete compact tension specimen. The rate sensitive microplane model is used as a constitutive law for concrete. The strain-rate influence is captured by the activation energy theory. Inertia forces are implicitly accounted for through dynamic finite element analysis. The results of the study show that the fracture of the specimen strongly depends on the loading rate. For relatively low loading rates there is a single crack due to the mode-I fracture. However, with the increase of loading rate crack branching is observed. Up to certain threshold (critical) loading rate the maximal crack velocity increases with increase of loading rate, however, for higher loading rates maximal velocity of the crack propagation becomes independent of the loading rate. The critical crack velocity at the onset of crack branching is found to be approximately 500 to 600 m/s.

Abstract: The geometrical shielding produced by intergranular crack-tip branching in the fracture toughness tests of the Fe–V–P alloy is quantitatively assessed particularly with respect to the contribution of crack splitting. This process was evaluated by an identification of secondary intergranular cracks visualized on metalographical samples perpendicular to the fracture surface. The analysis of mixed trans/intergranular fracture revealed no special influence of triple-point branching (splitting) on the total crack tip shielding in cases of such highly spatially tortuous crack fronts. Thus, the previously reported results taking only the effect of crack tip kinking and meandering into account were proved to be correct.

Abstract: An energy-based fracture mode has been derived for the mode I crack kinking and branching. The classic -integral has been further explored by a new partial integral path and the analytical solution of the energy release rate for crack kinking and branching from a mode-I crack tip has been established. The crack kinking/branching angle has also been analytically derived. It shows that the Griffith’s theorem and conservation law can be applied to both model I crack extension and model I crack kinking and branching. The branching mechanism for quasi-static mode-I crack has been theoretically investigated. The branching toughness and the K-based criterion for crack branching have been defined. The crack branching phenomena predicted by the present model are in well agreement with the experimental observations reported in the literatures.

Abstract: High fatigue threshold values of duplex ferritic-martensitic steels are interpreted by using a unified model of roughness- and plasticity induced crack closure. Complex metallographical and fractographical analysis was performed in order to obtain characteristics of tortuous crack paths produced by crack deflection and branching mainly at austenite/ferrite interfaces. Calculated values of effective thresholds are in a good agreement with experimental data. The total level of extrinsic toughening (closure + shielding) induced by the duplex microstructure was determined to be as much as 70% of measured fatigue threshold values. This is the main reason for the high resistance to propagation of long fatigue cracks in the near-threshold region.

Abstract: Shear-type fatigue crack behavior in a bearing steel, SAE52100, was investigated in a biaxial fatigue testing machine using cylindrical specimens. Either of the following two types of artificial defect with the total length of 400 ~ 440 %m and the depth of 200 ~ 300 %m was introduced into the specimen surfaces: (a) a semi-elliptical pre-crack emanating from 2 adjacent holes by a tension-compression loading, (b) 3 adjacent holes oriented in the axial direction which had slits made by the focused ion beam technique at the both ends. Fully reversed torsion with a shear stress amplitude at specimen surface, τa = ~ 600 MPa, was applied to the specimens under the static axial compressive stress σm = −1000 ~ −1200 MPa. In case of the defect (a), a shear-type crack propagated from the pre-crack in direction perpendicular to the specimen axis. At the specimen surface, the shear-type crack periodically branched from the crack tip and propagated 5~10 %m in Mode I directions. The shear-type crack growth was decelerated with an increase in the crack length and finally stopped at N ≅ 7.5×106 cycles and 2a ≅ 600 %m. On the other hand, in case of the defect (b), the shear-type crack propagated in axial direction, and the crack growth was accelerated with an increase in the crack length. In addition, the threshold stress in case without the compressive stress on crack-face was determined by a τa-decreasing test. The results revealed that the shear-type crack growth was strongly influenced by the crack-face friction and the existence of the Mode I blanched cracks.

Abstract: Crack turning or delamination behavior of AA 2050-T87 and AA 7050-T7451 ESE(T) and hourglass coupons under cyclic fatigue conditions is presented. Fatigue crack growth rate curves, fracture surface examinations, and the preferred manner of crack growth for each alloy are discussed in an effort to better understand fatigue crack growth behavior of aluminum-lithium alloys in structural components under service conditions.