Experiments and numerical approaches to ductile tearing in an 2024-T351 aluminium alloy

Ductile fracture of an 2024-T351 aluminium alloy has been investigated using a central crack panel (CCP). In order to predict rupture, two models using the local approach to fracture mechanics were verified: the uncoupled Rice and Tracey void growth model and the coupled Rousselier model based on continuum damage mechanics. A finite element analysis has been performed in order to verify the capability of these models to predict the crack extension. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.