Stochastic fracture analysis of laminated composite plate with arbitrary cracks using X-FEM

Abstract

In this paper, second order statistics of mixed mode stress intensity factors (MSIFs) and crack propagation analysis of the symmetric angle ply laminated composite plate with through thickness arbitrary curve cracks subjected to tensile and shear stress is presented. The fracture behaviour is analysed using extended finite element method (X-FEM). The cracks like line, semi elliptical, semi circular and arbitrary curves are considered for the detailed numerical study. The material properties, lamination angle, loading, crack width and crack depth are modelled as independent, combine uncorrelated and correlated input random Gaussian variables. The interaction integral (M-integral) is adopted for calculating the MSIFs. The second order perturbation technique and Monte Carlo simulations are proposed to obtain the mean and coefficient of variance of MSIFs by random change in input system parameters. This work signifies the accurate and realistic evaluation of fracture response by handling the various levels of uncertainties. The effect of crack propagation on MSIFs using tensile and shear stresses using global tracking algorithm is also highlighted.