Papers by Keyword: Multiple Crack Systems

Abstract: In this paper, advanced numerical simulations of curved crack growth in the case of mul­tiple crack systems in combination with the analysis of the plastic limit load by the lower bound theorem of plasticity are presented. In order to take additionally initiated cracks during the crack growth process into account, the numerical simulation algorithm has been extended by using the Smith-Watson-Topper (SWT) parameter in combination with a linear fatigue damage accumula­tion.

Abstract: In this paper a higher order crack path simulation algorithm for multiple interacting cracks is presented using piecewise parabolic curved increments including the consideration of the plastic limit loads. For this reason, the program PCCS-2D has been extended to analyse the crack growth and the plastic limit load for each crack propagation step in a fully automatic simulation. The proposed solution algorithm provides a powerful tool for flaw assessment with the FAD proce¬dure in combination with a numerical crack path simulation. Several numerical examples are pre¬sented to show the accuracy and the efficiency of the crack path simulation including the analysis of the plastic limit loads

Abstract: The paper presents numerical and experimental results of continued studies of curved fatigue crack growth in arbitrarily pre-cracked isotropic sheets under biaxial proportional plane loading. The predictor-corrector method (PCM) was extended in order to analyse the growth of multiple crack systems. As a result, the program PCCS-2D was written to run within ANSYS without any user interaction. In order to check the accuracy and efficiency of the method biaxial crack growth simulations were carried out for a fracture mechanics cruciform specimen. The results are compared with experimental findings obtained by specimens made of 6061 aluminium alloy in T651 condition using a 250kN biaxial servohydraulic testing machine. From the numerical and experimental results, we conclude, that the proposed predictor-corrector method can be used in curved crack growth simulation also under biaxial proportional loading conditions.

Abstract: The paper presents the results of a continued study of curved fatigue crack growth in a multiple arbitrarily pre-cracked isotropic sheet under plane stress loading. The predictor-corrector method (PCM) was extended in order to analyse the growth of multiple crack systems in a finite 2D structure. Together with the recently proposed improved modified virtual crack closure integral (MVCCI) method we can obtain accurate SIF values also for interacting cracks, and furthermore we can simulate fatigue crack growth of multiple crack systems in plane sheets under proportional mixed mode loading conditions. As a result, the program PCCS-2D is written to run within ANSYS to simulate interacting curved cracks. In order to check the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method several example problems are solved. Especially curved cracks emanating from loaded fastener holes in sheets are analysed.