Strain energy density prediction of crack propagation for 2D linear elastic materials

When the loading or the geometry of a structure is not symmetrical about the axis of the crack, the rupture occurs in mixed mode loading, and the crack does not propagate in a straight line. It is then necessary to use kinking criteria to determine the new direction of crack propagation. The aim of this work is to present a numerical modeling of crack propagation under mixed mode loading conditions. This work is based on the implementation of the displacement extrapolation method (DEM) and the strain energy density theory in a finite element code. At each crack increment length, the kinking angle is evaluated as a function of stress intensity factors (SIFs). In this paper, we analyzed the mechanical behavior of inclined cracks by evaluating the stress intensity factors. Then, we present the examples of crack propagation in structures containing inclusions and cavities. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.