A mixed-mode fatigue crack growth model for co-consolidated thermoplastic joints

In this work, a mixed-mode fatigue crack growth model for simulating interfacial fracture of co-consolidated thermoplastic joints was developed. The model is based on the cohesive zone modeling approach and was specifically designed to account for any I + II mode-mixity, requiring only pure mode I and II loading data as input. The fatigue crack growth rate is constantly updated using a function of the energy release rates and the computed mode-mixity ratio. A linear mode-mixity law is applied. Both force-controlled and displacement -controlled loads can be modeled in specimens ranging from coupon-scale sizes to larger structural elements. Implementation of the model was done for the low-melt polyaryletherketone (LM-PAEK) material by developing a user-defined subroutine in the LS-Dyna FE software. To feed the model, mode I and mode II fatigue tests were conducted using double-cantilever beam and end-notch flexure specimens, respectively, while to validate the model mixed-mode single lap shear (SLS) tests were conducted. The model reproduces accurately the mode I and II fatigue crack growth while it predicts also accurately the mixed-mode fatigue crack growth of the SLS specimens.

Automated summary

A mixed-mode fatigue crack growth model was developed to simulate interfacial fracture of co-consolidated thermoplastic joints. The model uses the cohesive zone modeling approach and is capable of considering any I + II mode-mixity by using pure mode I and II loading data as input. The fatigue crack growth rate is updated in real-time based on the energy release rates and mode-mixity ratio. It accurately reproduces the mode I and II fatigue crack growth and predicts the mixed-mode fatigue crack growth of the tested specimens.