Numerical simulation of fatigue crack propagation in mixed-mode (I+II) using the program BemCracker2D
International Journal of Structural Integrity
ISSN: 1757-9864
Article publication date: 14 March 2019
Issue publication date: 7 August 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the application of the boundary element method (BEM) in linear elastic fracture mechanics for analysis of fatigue crack propagation problems in mixed-mode (I+II) using a robust academic software named BemCracker2D and its graphical interface BemLab2D.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology consists in calculating elastic stress by conventional BEM and to carry out an incremental analysis of the crack extension employing the dual BEM (DBEM). For each increment of the analysis, the stress intensity factors (SIFs) are computed by the J-Integral technique, the crack growth direction is evaluated by the maximum circumferential stress criterion and the crack growth rate is computed by a modified Paris equation, which takes into account an equivalent SIF to obtain the fracture Modes I and II. The numerical results are compared with the experimental and/or BEM values extracted from the open literature, aiming to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the adopted methodology, as well as to validate the robustness of the programs.
Findings
The paper addresses the numerical simulation of fatigue crack growth. The main contribution of the paper is the introduction of a software for simulating two-dimensional fatigue crack growth problems in mixed-mode (I+II) via the DBEM. The software BemCracker2D coupled to the BemLab2D graphical user interface (GUI), for pre/post-processing, are very complete, efficient and versatile and its does make relevant contributions in the field of fracture mechanics.
Originality/value
The main contribution of the manuscript is the development of a GUI for pre/post-processing of 2D fracture mechanics problems, as well as the object oriented programming implementation. Finally, the main merit is of educational nature.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the Brazilian Research Support Foundation (FAP-DF) for the supporting funds for this research. The authors also thank the Graduate Program in Structural Engineering and Civil Construction in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Brasilia.
Citation
Leite, P.G.P. and Gomes, G. (2019), "Numerical simulation of fatigue crack propagation in mixed-mode (I+II) using the program BemCracker2D", International Journal of Structural Integrity, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 497-514. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSI-04-2018-0022
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited