Three-dimensional stress intensity factor calibration for a stiffened cracked plate

• Published in: Engineering fracture mechanics Vol. 76; no. 14; pp. 2298 - 2308
• Main Authors: Moreira, P.M.G.P., Pastrama, S.D., de Castro, P.M.S.T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); J-Integral; Opening stress; Physics; Plane stain behaviour; Solid mechanics; Stiffened panel; Stress intensity factor; Structural and continuum mechanics; Plane stain behaviour; J-Integral; Stress intensity factor; Stiffened panel; Opening stress; Metallic structure; J integral; Stress analysis; Cracked plate; Rupture; Calibration; Modeling; Reinforced structure; Reinforced plate; Reinforced shell; Finite element method; Dimensional analysis; Plane strain; Aircraft; Crack
• ISSN: 0013-7944; 1873-7315
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2009.07.003

Three-dimensional finite element analyses are used in this paper to calibrate the stress intensity factor in a cracked stiffened plate subjected to remote uniform traction. An accurate numerical determination of the stress field and stress intensity variation through the thickness of a central cracked plate was first carried out in order to evaluate three-dimensional effects. A stiffened cracked plate was then analysed, taking into account the results and the conclusions obtained in the previous study. Such a structure was chosen due to the growing interest for large integral metallic structures for aircraft applications, following the continuous need for low cost and the emergence of new technologies. The J-Integral technique was used to calculate the values of the stress intensity factor along the plate thickness. The plane strain behaviour near the crack front and the variation of the opening stress are discussed.