Numerical and Experimental Determination of Three-dimensional Multiple Crack Growth in Fatigue

C. WESSEL; A. P. CISILINO; O. SANTI; J.L. OTEGUI

ENGINEERING FRACTURE MECHANICS

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2001 vol. 35 p. 47 - 58

0013-7944

This work is concerned with the assessment of propagation of multiple fatigue cracks in three-dimensions. Com- putational modelling of fatigue crack propagation is made together with detection and monitoring of the crack shape development. The boundary element method (BEM) is used for automating the modelling of crack propagation in linear elastic as well as elastic±plastic regimes. Strain at several positions on the specimen surface near the crack mouth is measured to monitor crack initiation, shape development and closure levels. Examples are provided to validate the model by comparing the experimental results with those obtained by numerical predictions.