A nonlinear high temperature fracture mechanics basis for strainrange partitioning

A direct link was established between Strainrange Partitioning (SRP) and high temperature fracture mechanics by deriving the general SRP inelastic strain range versus cyclic life relationships from high temperature, nonlinear, fracture mechanics considerations. The derived SRP life relationships are in reasonable agreement based on the experience of the SRP behavior of many high temperature alloys. In addition, fracture mechanics has served as a basis for derivation of the Ductility-Normalized SRP life equations, as well as for examination of SRP relations that are applicable to thermal fatigue life prediction. Areas of additional links between nonlinear fracture mechanics and SRP were identified for future exploration. These include effects of multiaxiality as well as low strain, nominally elastic, long life creep fatigue interaction

The 1/r singularity in weakly nonlinear fracture mechanics

Material failure by crack propagation essentially involves a concentration of large displacement-gradients near a crack's tip, even at scales where no irreversible deformation and energy dissipation occurs. This physical situation provides the motivation for a systematic gradient expansion of general nonlinear elastic constitutive laws that goes beyond the first order displacement-gradient expansion that is the basis for linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). A weakly nonlinear fracture mechanics theory was recently developed by considering displacement-gradients up to second order. The theory predicts that, at scales within a dynamic lengthscale $\ell$ from a crack's tip, significant $\log{r}$ displacements and $1/r$ displacement-gradient contributions arise. Whereas in LEFM the $1/r$ singularity generates an unbalanced force and must be discarded, we show that this singularity not only exists but is {\em necessary} in the weakly nonlinear theory. The theory generates no spurious forces and is consistent with the notion of the autonomy of the near-tip nonlinear region. The J-integral in the weakly nonlinear theory is also shown to be path-independent, taking the same value as the linear elastic J-integral. Thus, the weakly nonlinear theory retains the key tenets of fracture mechanics, while providing excellent quantitative agreement with measurements near the tip of single propagating cracks. As $\ell$ is consistent with lengthscales that appear in crack tip instabilities, we suggest that this theory may serve as a promising starting point for resolving open questions in fracture dynamics.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

Crack propagation in honeycomb cellular materials: a computational approach

Computational models based on the finite element method and linear or nonlinear fracture mechanics are herein proposed to study the mechanical response of functionally designed cellular components. It is demonstrated that, via a suitable tailoring of the properties of interfaces present in the meso- and micro-structures, the tensile strength can be substantially increased as compared to that of a standard polycrystalline material. Moreover, numerical examples regarding the structural response of these components when subjected to loading conditions typical of cutting operations are provided. As a general trend, the occurrence of tortuous crack paths is highly favorable: stable crack propagation can be achieved in case of critical crack growth, whereas an increased fatigue life can be obtained for a sub-critical crack propagation

3D-Mesomechanical analysis of external sulfate attack in concrete

The present study focuses on degradation of concrete by external sulfate attack. The numerical model developed by the MECMAT/UPC group, incorporates coupled C-M analysis using a meso-mechanical approach with discrete cracking, using the MEF and zero thickness interface elements with a constitutive law based on nonlinear fracture mechanics concepts. Examples of application are run on 2D and 3D samples, with geometries and FE meshes generated with a code developed also in-house. The numerical analysis is carried out using two independent codes and a “staggered” procedure. The first code performs the mechanical analysis and the second the diffusive/reaction chemical problem. 2D uncoupled and coupled analysis are presented and discussed. Preliminary coupled 3D results are also presented and compared with equivalent 2D results, and the differences are detected and analyzed

Elevated temperature crack growth

The objective of the Elevated Temperature Crack Growth Project is to evaluate proposed nonlinear fracture mechanics methods for application to combustor liners of aircraft gas turbine engines. During the first year of this program, proposed path-independent (P-I) integrals were reviewed for such applications. Several P-I integrals were implemented into a finite-element postprocessor which was developed and verified as part of the work. Alloy 718 was selected as the analog material for use in the forthcoming experimental work. A buttonhead, single-edge notch specimen was designed and verified for use in elevated-temperature strain control testing with significant inelastic strains. A crack mouth opening displacement measurement device was developed for further use

Analysis of the microbond test using nonlinear fracture mechanics

Microbond tests composed of single fibre and matrix droplet are often used to determine the properties of fibre reinforced composites. Interfacial shear strength is quantified by the maximum pull-out force assuming a uniform stress distribution along the fibre. Here, nonlinear finite element analyses are performed to investigate the validity of this assumption.Comment: Submitted to 17th international conference on composite materials (ICCM-17

Cohesive zone models in history dependent materials

Copyright @ 2013 ACMECohesive zone model is a well known concept in nonlinear fracture mechanics of elasto-plastic materials. In contrast to that, we discuss a development of the cohesive zone model to linear, but time and history dependent, materials. The stress distribution over the cohesive zone satisfies a history dependent rupture criterion for the normalised equivalent stress, represented by a nonlinear Abel-type integral operator. The cohesive zone length at each time step is determined from the condition of zero stress intensity factor at the cohesive zone tip. It appeared that the crack starts propagating after some delay time elapses since a constant load is applied to the body. This happens when the crack tip opening displacement reaches a prescribed critical value. A numerical algorithm to compute the cohesive zone and crack length with respect to time is discussed and graphs showing the results are give

Nonlinear fracture mechanics-based analysis of thin wall cylinders

This paper presents a simple analysis technique to predict the crack initiation, growth, and rupture of large-radius, R, to thickness, t, ratio (thin wall) cylinders. The method is formulated to deal both with stable tearing as well as fatigue mechanisms in applications to both surface and through-wall axial cracks, including interacting surface cracks. The method can also account for time-dependent effects. Validation of the model is provided by comparisons of predictions to more than forty full scale experiments of thin wall cylinders pressurized to failure

Докритичний розвиток тріщини поздовжнього зсуву у в'язкопружному композиті

В рамках нелінійної механіки руйнування отримано рівняння розвитку тріщини поздовжнього зсуву в композитному матеріалі, компоненти якого мають лінійно в'язкопружні властивості. Дослідження виконано на основі двох моделей механізму розвитку тріщини: моделі сталості довжини зони передруйнування та моделі сталості напружень у цій зоні. Запропоновану схему розв'язання застосовано для побудови числового розв'язку задачі у формі кінетичних кривих розвитку тріщини.In the frame of nonlinear fracture mechanics, the equations for the growth of a longitudinal shear crack in a composite, whose components possess linearly viscoelastic properties, are constructed and numerically solved

Surface waves in deformed Bell materials

Small amplitude inhomogeneous plane waves are studied as they propagate on the free surface of a predeformed semi-infinite body made of Bell constrained material. The predeformation corresponds to a finite static pure homogeneous strain. The surface wave propagates in a principal direction of strain and is attenuated in another principal direction, orthogonal to the free surface. For these waves, the secular equation giving the speed of propagation is established by the method of first integrals. This equation is not the same as the secular equation for incompressible half-spaces, even though the Bell constraint and the incompressibility constraint coincide in the isotropic infinitesimal limit