Method and interface elements for finite-element fracture analysis

A finite element method for predicting crack opening and propagation entails defining a succession of overlapping interface elements at a potential crack plane, each element having a bound node pair and side node pairs spaced from the bound node pair to sense approach of a crack. An energy-based fra...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Deobald, Lyle R, Dopker, Bernhard, Mabson, Gerald E
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 17.03.2009
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Summary:A finite element method for predicting crack opening and propagation entails defining a succession of overlapping interface elements at a potential crack plane, each element having a bound node pair and side node pairs spaced from the bound node pair to sense approach of a crack. An energy-based fracture mechanics criterion determines whether release occurs at the bound nodes and, if so, the displacement between the bound nodes is calculated based on a strain softening law. The process is repeated for each element in sequence.