Three-dimensional fatigue crack growth simulation of embedded cracks using s-version FEM
International Journal of Structural Integrity
ISSN: 1757-9864
Article publication date: 31 December 2019
Issue publication date: 24 July 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Since the most of structures and structural components suffers from cyclic loadings, the study on the fatigue failure due to the crack growth has a great importance. The purpose of this paper is to present a three-dimensional fatigue crack growth simulation of embedded cracks using s-version finite element method (SFEM). Using the numerical results, the validity of the fitness-for-service (FFS) code evaluation method is verified.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, three-dimensional fatigue crack propagation analysis of embedded cracks is performed using the SFEM. SFEM is a numerical analysis method in which the shape of the structure is represented by a global mesh, and cracks are modeled by local meshes independently. The independent global and local meshes are superimposed to obtain the displacement solution of the problem simultaneously.
Findings
The fatigue crack growth of arbitrary shape of cracks is slow compared to that of the simplified circular crack and the crack approximated based on the FFS code of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME). The results tell us that the FFS code of JSME can provide a conservative evaluation of the fatigue crack growth and the residual life time.
Originality/value
This paper presents a three-dimensional fatigue crack growth simulation of embedded cracks using SFEM. Using this method, it is possible to apply mixed mode loads to complex shaped cracks that are closer to realistic conditions.
Keywords
Citation
Tomaru, S. and Takahashi, A. (2020), "Three-dimensional fatigue crack growth simulation of embedded cracks using s-version FEM", International Journal of Structural Integrity, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 547-555. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSI-10-2019-0107
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited