Abstract
The finite element method (FEM) is a widely used technique in research, including but not restricted to the growth of cracks in engineering applications. However, failure to use fine meshes poses problems in modeling the singular stress field around the crack tip in the singular element region. This work aims at using the original source code program by Visual FORTRAN language to predict the crack propagation and fatigue lifetime using the adaptive dens mesh finite element method. This developed program involves the adaptive mesh generator according to the advancing front method as well as both the pre-processing and post-processing for the crack growth simulation under linear elastic fracture mechanics theory. The stress state at a crack tip is characterized by the stress intensity factor associated with the rate of crack growth. The quarter-point singular elements are constructed around the crack tip to accurately represent the singularity of this region. Under linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) with an assumption in various configurations, the Paris law model was employed to evaluate mixed-mode fatigue life for two specimens under constant amplitude loading. The framework includes a progressive analysis of the stress intensity factors (SIFs), the direction of crack growth, and the estimation of fatigue life. The results of the analysis are consistent with other experimental and numerical studies in the literature for the prediction of the fatigue crack growth trajectories as well as the calculation of stress intensity factors.
Highlights
The finite element method (FEM) is definitely the most common and effective analytical technique for analyzing the behavior of a wide variety of engineering and physical issues
One of the essential uses of FEM is the study of crack propagation
Determining the accurate stress intensity factor of a cracked structure in linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) is very crucial in accessing the integrity of the crack, especially if the calculation is carried out using the finite element technique with extremely fine mesh
Summary
The finite element method (FEM) is definitely the most common and effective analytical technique for analyzing the behavior of a wide variety of engineering and physical issues. Determining the accurate stress intensity factor of a cracked structure in LEFM is very crucial in accessing the integrity of the crack, especially if the calculation is carried out using the finite element technique with extremely fine mesh. The DET requires configuration of special elements in the vicinity of the crack tip, by correctly representing the stress field singularity at the crack tip. Very small-size elements can be optimally created around the crack tip with the use of an adaptive mesh refinement scheme. Generating overall fine mesh leads to greater computational time. This procedure was reduced by using the adaptive mesh strategy, which increases the mesh only on the required areas.
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