Title: Numerical solution for mixed mode crack propagation in brittle solids combined with finite element method and failure criteria

Authors: Jiawen Zhou; Xingguo Yang; Hongtao Li

Addresses: State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China ' State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China ' State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China

Abstract: This paper presents a numerical method for mixed mode crack propagation in brittle solids combined with finite element method and failure criteria. For a crack in the brittle solids under external loading condition, there is a plastic core region existed at the crack tip, the crack propagation will happened when the solid element is plastic yield, and the crack will propagate under biaxial loading conditions forming wing cracks. The stress intensity factors of an element are related to its stress state. Combined with the finite element method, the D-P failure criterion is used to determine the crack propagation path. Computed results show that the crack initiation angle is influenced by the crack inclination, loading pattern, loading ratio and the friction effect of crack surface. The crack is more easily propagated under tensile stress condition than compressive stress condition, and the mean stress, deviatoric stress, maximum shear strain and yielded elements are increased with increased external loading.

Keywords: crack propagation; finite element method; FEM; failure criteria; plastic core region; numerical simulation; brittle solids; stress intensity factors; crack initiation angle; crack inclination; loading pattern; loading ratio; friction; tensile stress; compressive stress; mean stress; deviatoric stress; maximum shear strain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2012.051345

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2012 Vol.45 No.1/2/3/4, pp.96 - 107

Published online: 18 Sep 2014 *

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