Crack growth simulation with Adapcrack3D in 3D structures under the influence of temperature

Abstract

Lifetime of components or structures that are under cyclic loading rely upon the growth rate and the path of cracks that are developed during its operation. Thus the prediction of fatigue crack growth reduces the adverse effects which can be caused because of its behavior. Many simulation programs are available to foresee the crack growth and growth rate in structures, thereby determining their lifetime. Adapcrack3D is an automatic crack growth simulation program which uses the finite element method to simulate crack growth behavior in structures. FE-Simulations are performed in 3D models of structures to determine the stresses that are developed due to the given loading situations. Thereafter, the software performs fracture mechanical evaluation to determine crack path and the lifetime of components that are under mixed-mode loading. Adapcrack3D is generally used for simulating mechanically loaded components. In addition to the stresses that are caused because of mechanical loading, stresses developed due to the change in temperature in components can also have influence on the crack growth behavior. This paper is an attempt to introduce temperature as a new boundary condition in the software in addition to the mechanical loading conditions that are already available. 3D models of structures are separately created with mechanical and thermal loading conditions. Simulations are conducted to understand the crack growth in models that have only mechanical loading and those having both the mechanical and temperature boundary conditions. The results obtained from both the simulations are evaluated to understand the influence of applying temperature as an additional boundary condition.