Simulation of three-dimensional fatigue crack propagation using enriched finite elements

• Published in: Computers & structures Vol. 89; no. 9; pp. 801 - 812
• Main Author: Ayhan, Ali O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Computer simulation; Crack growth; Crack propagation; Cracks; Enriched elements; Enrichment; Exact sciences and technology; Fatigue failure; Fracture mechanics; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Life prediction; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Mathematics; Methods of scientific computing (including symbolic computation, algebraic computation); Numerical analysis. Scientific computation; Physics; Sciences and techniques of general use; Solid mechanics; Stress intensity factor; Structural and continuum mechanics; Surface cracks; Three-dimensional crack; Enriched elements; Life prediction; Stress intensity factor; Three-dimensional crack; Crack growth; Enrichment; Mode coupling; Surface crack; Durability; Experimental study; Modeling; Fatigue crack; Crack propagation; Finite element method; Crack tip
• ISSN: 0045-7949; 1879-2243
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruc.2011.01.013

A three-dimensional methodology for simulation of fatigue crack propagation is presented. The method is leveraged by the use of enriched crack tip elements to compute the mixed-mode stress intensity factors. The crack growth model used and the crack propagation life calculation are also described. As examples, fatigue crack propagation of a mode-I surface crack and crack advancements of mixed-mode surface cracks are simulated. The predicted results showed excellent agreement with experimental data from the literature. Thus, it is concluded that the crack propagation method developed allows efficient and accurate simulation of three-dimensional fatigue crack propagation problems.