Numerical Modeling of Crack Growth under Mixed-Mode Loading

The aim of this paper is to simulate the propagation of linear elastic crack in 3D structures using the latest innovation developed using Ansys software, which is the Separating Morphing and Adaptive Remeshing Technology (SMART), in order to enable automatic remeshing during a simulation of fracture behaviors. The ANSYS Mechanical APDL 19.2 (Ansys, Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA), is used by employing a special mechanism in ANSYS, which is the smart crack growth method, to accurately predict the crack propagation paths and associated stress intensity factors. For accurate prediction of the mixed-mode stress intensity factors (SIFs), the interaction integral technique has been employed. This approach is used for the prediction of the mixed-mode SIFs in the three-point bending beam, which has six different configurations: three configurations with holes, and the other three without holes involving the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) assumption. The results indicated that the growth of the crack was attracted to the hole and changes its trajectory to reach the hole or floats by the hole and grows when the hole is missing. For verification, the data available in the open literature on experimental crack path trajectories and stress intensity factors were compared with computational study results, and very good agreement was found.

Automated summary

This paper aims to simulate the propagation of linear elastic cracks in 3D structures using Ansys software's SMART technology, accurately predicting crack growth paths and stress intensity factors. The study indicates that cracks are attracted to holes and change trajectory to reach or grow by the hole. Experimental crack path trajectories and stress intensity factors had very good agreement with computational study results.