Fatigue Crack Growth Simulation Using S-Version FEM: Application to Interacting Subsurface Cracks

Abstract:

In this paper, fatigue crack growth simulation of interacting subsurface cracks using the s-version finite element method (SFEM) is presented. In order to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the proximity rules published by the ASME, during the fatigue crack growth simulations, the subsurface cracks are approximated to either a single elliptical crack or semi-elliptical surface crack in accordance with the proximity rules. Then, the proximity rules are slightly modified for improving the accuracy and reliability. The results of crack depth evolution calculated by the SFEM with the use of the new proximity rules suggest that the approximation to deep cracks drastically improves the accuracy of the fatigue crack growth evaluation. Thus, the approximation to deep cracks must be a promising approach for having better evaluation of fatigue crack growth of subsurface cracks.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 741)
• Pages: 82-87
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.741.82
• Online since: June 2017
• Authors: Akiyuki Takahashi*, Ayaka Suzuki, Masanori Kikuchi
• Keywords: Fatigue Crack Growth, Proximity Rules, Subsurface Cracks, S-Version FEM

References

[1] ASME B&PV Code Section XI, Rules for In-service Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components, ASME, New York, (2007).

[2] J. Fish, The s-version of the Finite Element Method, Computers and Structures 43 (1992), pp.539-547.

[3] Y. Mi, M.H. Aliabadi, Three dimensional crack growth simulation using BEM, Computers and Structures, 52 (1994), pp.871-878.

DOI: 10.1016/0045-7949(94)90072-8

[4] I.V. Singh, B.K. Mishra, S. Bhattacharya, R.U. Patil, The numerical simulation of fatigue crack growth using extended finite element method, International Journal of Fatigue, 36 (2012), pp.109-119.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2011.08.010

[5] H. Okada, H. Kawai, T. Tokuda, Y. Fukui, Fully automated mixed mode crack propagation analyses based on tetrahedral finite element method and VCCM (virtual crack closure-integral method), International Journal of Fatigue, 50 (2013), pp.33-39.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2012.04.009

[6] M. Kamaya, E. Miyokawa, M. Kikuchi, Growth prediction of interacting surface cracks of dissimilar sizes, Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 77 (2010), pp.3120-3131.

DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2010.08.008

[7] K.N. Shivakumar, P.W. Tan, J.C. Newman, A virtual crack-closure method for calculating stress intensity factors for cracked three dimensional bodies, International Journal of Fracture, 36 (1988), pp. R43-R50.

DOI: 10.1007/bf00035103

[8] H. Okada, M. Higashi, M. Kikuchi, Y. Fukui, N. Kumazawa, Three dimensional virtual crack closure-integral method (VCCM) with skewed and non-symmetric mesh arrangement at the crack front, Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 72 (2005), pp.1717-1737.

DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2004.12.005

[9] P. Paris, F. Erdogan, A critical analysis of crack propagation laws, Journal of Basic Engineering, 85 (1963), pp.528-533.

DOI: 10.1115/1.3656900