A LOCAL GRID REFINEMENT METHOD FOR DETERMINING STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR CRACKS AT NOTCHES

Abstract— Stress intensity calibrations have been determined for cracks at the root of a semi-circular edge notch loaded in tension using a localised grid refinement technique for finite element analysis. The technique is of particular value in situations where a fully connected mesh model is difficult to achieve or where enhanced accuracy is needed in a small sub-region of a model. Solutions were as accurate as those from a conventional refined mesh but with an approximately two fold reduction in run time. The resulting stress intensity factors are in good agreement with those estimated using a notch correction function and the equivalent un-notched crack solution.     

THE STRESS INTENSITY FACTOR OF SMALL CRACKS AT NOTCHES

Abstract— It was found in a previous publication that stress fields around notches are quantitatively very similar, if the peak stress at the notch root (σ_peak) and the notch root radius ( ρ ) are the same. As a consequence, small cracks (length l ) should have the same stress intensity factor, if σ_peak and ρ are similar. This implies that the geometry factor C in
should primarily depend on l/ρ only, and not on other dimensions. Available data on calculated K values was analysed, which confirmed the similarity concept. An equation for C as a function of l/ρ was obtained. It was shown that K -values calculated with this equation are an accurate approximation for the stress intensity factor of small cracks at notches.     

ON DETERMINING STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR MIXED MODE CRACKS FROM THERMOELASTIC DATA

Abstract— An alternative methodology is presented for determining stress intensity factors for cracks subject to mixed-mode displacements. The methodology involves thermoelastic data generated from a SPATE (Stress Pattern Analysis by Thermal Emission) system and has been adapted from one used successfully in photoelasticity. The thermoelastic data is collected throughout the elastic stress field dominated by the crack tip singularity. The stress field is described using a Fourier series within Muskhelishvili's approach. This method allows different applied stress fields to be described which may include transient or non-uniform stress fields. The results obtained using the new methodology are at least as good as those obtained previously for pure mode I cases, and generally better for mixed mode displacement conditions.     

ESTIMATIONS OF STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR SMALL CRACKS AT NOTCHES

This paper presents a simple method for determining the stress intensity factors for small notch-emanating cracks. The proposed method is based on similarities between elastic notch-tip stress fields described by two parameters; the stress concentration factor K₁, and the notch-tip radius ρ. The method developed here is rather general, and can be used for a variety of central and edge notches with through-thickness of semi-elliptical cracks. The predicted values are in good agreement with the available numerical data.     

STRESS INTENSITY FACTOR SOLUTIONS FOR SEMI-ELLIPTICAL WELD-TOE CRACKS IN T-BUTT GEOMETRIES

Abstract— Weld toe magnification factors are widely used in the evaluation of stress intensity factors for cracks in welded structures. Traditionally, the weld magnification factor has been determined from 2-D plane strain models containing edge cracks. However, it has long been recognised that a semi-elliptical weld toe crack cannot be accurately represented by a 2-D approximation due to the 3-D nature of the geometry. As a consequence, some recent research has been carried out using 3-D numerical modelling, which highlights the limitations of the 2-D approach. Nevertheless, 3-D solutions are still scarce and are of limited validity due to the difficulties associated with creating the numerical models. This paper reports the most extensive 3-D numerical investigation of semi-elliptical cracks in T-butt geometries to date. Based on the numerical results, new and accurate equations for weld magnification factors were derived, which quantify the 3-D effects present and emphasise the importance of the attachment. The results obtained from these equations are then used in an assessment of existing solutions.     

STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS AND WEIGHT FUNCTIONS FOR SEMI-ELLIPTICAL SURFACE CRACKS IN FINITE-THICKNESS PLATES UNDER TWO-DIMENSIONAL STRESS DISTRIBUTION

Abstract— A Fourier series approach is proposed to calculate stress intensity factors using weight functions for semi-elliptical surface cracks in flat plates subjected to two-dimensional stress distributions. The weight functions were derived from reference stress intensity factors obtained by three-dimensional finite element analyses. The close form weight functions derived are suitable for the calculation of stress intensity factors for semi-elliptical surface cracks in flat plates under two-dimensional stress distributions with the crack aspect ratio in the range of 0.1 ≤ a/c ≤ 1 and relative depth in the range of 0 ≤ a/t ≤ 0.8. Solutions were verified using several two-dimensional non-linear stress distributions; the maximum difference being 6%.     

均匀热流作用下含裂纹板I 型温度应力强度因子的解析解

研究一种新的温度边值问题。含中心裂纹无限大板受远场均匀热流作用,热流密度方向与裂纹有一夹角。当裂纹面上维持一恒定温差时,采用复变函数理论,得出了温度场、温度应力场与位移场的解析解。利用位移单值条件,确定出温度应力强度因子的解析表达式。针对铝合金LY12 材料进行了相应数值计算,分析了热流密度大小与方向对温度分布与温度应力强度因子的影响。研究表明:该文给定的温度边界条件下,只产生Ⅰ 型温度应力强度因子,不产生Ⅱ 型温度应力强度因子。温度应力场取决于热流密度沿裂纹方向的分量,垂直于裂纹方向的分量对温度应力场没有影响。     

WEIGHT FUNCTIONS AND STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR SEMI-ELLIPTICAL CRACKS IN T-PLATE WELDED JOINTS

Weight functions were derived for the deepest point and surface point of a semi-elliptical surface crack in T-plate joints with weld angles between 0 and 45°. These weight functions were derived from reference stress intensity factor solutions obtained from three-dimensional finite element calculations, and verified using stress intensity factors for different non-linear stress fields and for far-field tension and bending cases. The differences between the weight function predictions and the finite element data were less than 10%. They are suitable for semi-elliptical surface cracks with aspect ratios in the range 0.05 ≤ a/c ≤ 1, together with relative depths 0 ≤ a/t ≤ 0.6 and weld angles 0 ≤ φ ≤ 45°.     

方形截面管横向裂纹的应力强度因子KI

利用裂纹张开能量释放率建立了一个求解方形截面管横向裂纹应力强度因子的一个方法。给出了方形截面管裂纹张开能量释放率的 G*-积分表征,以及和应力强度因子的关系。同时也给出了 G*-积分与载荷、几何参量以及机械性能参数的关系,进而得到方形截面管横向裂纹的应力强度因子。给出的方法不仅适用于一般箱形结构件的裂纹问题,也适用于其它有限边界多边管状结构的三维裂纹问题,过程极为简单。     

A NEW METHOD FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF MODE II FATIGUE THRESHOLD STRESS INTENSITY FACTOR RANGE ΔKτth

Abstract— In order to evaluate the threshold value Δ K _τth for mode II fatigue crack growth, a new measurement method of mode II fatigue crack growth has been developed. This method uses a conventional closed-loop tension—compression fatigue testing machine without additional loading attachments. Mode II fatigue tests for structural steel and rail steel have been carried out. This method has proved successful and has reproduced mode II fatigue fracture surfaces similar to those found in the spalling of industrial steel-making rolls. The crack length during testing was measured by an AC potential method. The relationships between d a /d N and Δ K _τ and AK _τth for several materials have been obtained.     

STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR CRACKS AT FASTENER HOLES

Abstract— Transmission and reflection photoelasticity has been used to determine the stress intensity factors for artificial cracks emanating from a hole in two-dimensional tensile plates. Three geometries were investigated, namely a free hole, a pin-loaded hole and a hole with an interference-fit pin. All these cases relate to situations commonly found in aircraft structures. The results have been compared where possible with analytical data and a good correlation was found for these cases.     

STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR SURFACE CRACKS AT A HOLE BY A THREE-DIMENSIONAL WEIGHT FUNCTION METHOD WITH STRESSES FROM THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Stress intensity factors for semielliptical surface cracks emanating from a circular hole are reported in this paper. The three-dimensional weight function method with three-dimensional finite element solutions for the uncracked stress distribution is used for the analysis. Two different loading conditions, i.e. remote tension and wedge loading, are considered for a wide range of geometrical parameters. Both single and double surface cracks are studied and compared with other solutions available in the literature. Typical crack opening displacements are also provided.     

STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR CORNER CRACKS AT A HOLE BY A 3-D WEIGHT FUNCTION METHOD WITH STRESSES FROM THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Abstract— Stress intensity factors for quarter-elliptical corner cracks emanating from a circular hole are determined using a 3-D weight function method combined with a 3-D finite element method. The 3-D finite element method is used to analyze uncracked configurations and provide stress distributions in the region where a crack is likely to occur. Using this stress distribution as input, the 3-D weight function method is used to determine stress intensity factors. Three different loading conditions, i.e. remote tension, remote bending and wedge loading, are considered for a wide range of geometrical parameters. The significance of using 3-D uncracked stress distributions is studied. Comparisons are made with solutions available in the literature.     

平面裂纹应力强度因子的半解析有限元法

利用弹性平面扇形域哈密顿体系的方程,通过分离变量法及共轭辛本征函数向量展开法,推导了一个圆形奇异解析单元列式,该单元能准确地描述平面裂纹尖端场。将该解析元与有限元相结合,构成半解析的有限元法,可求解任意几何形状和载荷的平面裂纹应力强度因子及扩展问题。对典型算例的计算结果表明本文方法简单有效,具有令人满意的精度。     

应力强度因子的误差评估

该文根据裂纹尖端位移的计算公式,导出了一个用于评估应力强度因子计算误差的指标参数。在已知裂纹尖端位移场的情况下,该参数可以有效的说明应力强度因子的计算精度。最后通过算例分析说明该参数是一个有工程应用价值和计算简便的参数。     

A NOTCH INTENSITY FACTOR APPROACH TO THE STRESS ANALYSIS OF WELDS

In the context of linear elastic stress gradients that are present in welded joints, a stress field approach based on notch stress intensity factors is presented with the aim of describing stress distributions in the neighbourhood of weld toes, since fatigue strength is dependent on such distributions. This paper summarizes the analytical fundamentals and gives an appropriate definition of the parameters for stress components under opening and sliding modes. Then, by comparing the expected results with those obtained by numerical analysis, the contributions of the symmetric and skew-symmetric loading modes are quantified for different geometries, and summarized into concise expressions which also take into account the influence of the main geometrical parameters of the welded joint. The range of validity and the application limits of this field approach in the presence of weld toe radii are discussed. Finally, a synthesis of experimental fatigue strength data based on the new field parameters is reported.     

STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR CORNER CRACKS AT A SEMI-CIRCULAR NOTCH UNDER STRESS GRADIENTS

Abstract— A weight function method, recently developed by the authors, is applied to calculate stress intensity factors for corner cracks emanating from a semi-circular notch under crack face polynomial pressure loading. A wide range of configuration parameters are considered. These results, combined with superposition principle, allow determination of stress intensity factors under general loading conditions. The approach is demonstrated by obtaining stress intensity factors for the load cases of remote tension and shot-peening residual stresses at the notch.     

椭圆形截面管环向裂纹应力强度因子分析方法

应力强度因子是断裂力学中一个重要的参量。基于虚功原理和弯曲理论,利用裂纹非自发扩展的能量释放率,即G*-积分理论分析求解了椭圆形截面管环向裂纹应力强度因子问题,给出了椭圆形截面管裂纹张开能量释放率的G*-积分表征,得出不同载荷作用下椭圆形截面管环向裂纹应力强度因子的具体表达式。通过将其结果与有限元分析所得结果的比较,表明该方法最大的特点是能够给出封闭解,且计算简单。     

SINGULAR p-VERSION FINITE ELEMENTS FOR STRESS INTENSITY FACTOR COMPUTATIONS

The finite element analysis of linear elastic fracture mechanics problems is complicated by the presence of the singular and finite non-singular stress distributions in the crack tip region. The availability of a constant stress term in addition to the singular term in the standard h-version singular finite elements is insufficient to model the finite nonsingular stress zone. A p-version singular finite element capable of modelling the higher-order non-singular stress terms in addition to the singular term and the constant term is presented. The formulation for the displacement substitution technique for computing the stress intensity factors using singular p-version triangular finite elements is developed. Unlike the standard h-version formulation, the stress intensity factors computed using the p-version displacement substitution technique do not depend on the specific arrangement and length of the quarter point elements, and require simple mesh designs as well as fewer number of degrees of freedom. Numerical studies comparing the convergence of the stress intensity factors computed by the p-version method against other available alternatives such as the h-version method and the contour integral method are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present developments. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analytical evaluation of J-integral for elliptical and parabolic notches under mode I and mode II loading

In the present work the J-integral (indicated here as J_Vρ because two parallel flanks are not present) was calculated by using, along the free border, the exact analytical stress distribution for the ellipse and the asymptotic one for parabolic notches. The material was assumed as homogeneous isotropic and linear elastic. First, for an ellipse under remote tensile loading, the expression of J_Vρ has been analytically calculated on the basis of Inglis’ equations. The equations have been used to prove that, in terms of J-integral, the crack is the limit case of an equivalent elliptic notch. Furthermore, by distinguishing the symmetric and skew-symmetric terms, the well-known Stress Intensity Factors (SIF) of mode I and II for a crack in a wide plate under tension are obtained by adding a limiting condition. Second, by means of Creager–Paris’ equations, J_Vρ has been analytically calculated for a parabolic notch of assigned tip notch radius ρ. The asymptotic value of J_Vρ and the relationship between the peak stress and the relative SIF are the same as the ellipse. Finally, as an engineering application, we provide an accurate formula for the evaluation of the Notch Stress Intensity Factors of a crack, mainly subjected to tensile stress, from the peak stress of the equivalent ellipse under the same loading.