Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Finite and boundary element modeling of crack propagation in two and three dimensions

  • Published:
Engineering with Computers Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Computer modeling of mixed-mode crack propagation has rarely been attempted. This is because of the difficulty in updating the geometrical description to represent the changing crack geometry. The development of two interactive, graphical fracture propagation systems is described here. The Finite Element Fracture Analysis Program—Graphical (FEFAP-G) is a two-dimensional fracture propagation system. The BEM3D is a three-dimensional boundary element fracture propagation system.

In addition, the implementation of the BEM3D analysis program in a configuration formed by an FPS-264 processor attached to a VAX-11/750 used as host computer is described. The results show that a realistic three-dimensional boundary element analysis of crack propagation is not only feasible with the aid of attached processors, but it can have its total time reduced by factors of the order of hundreds when compared to VAX alone statistics.

In an example problem concerning fatigue crack propagation in a stiffened wing skin, both FEFAP-G and the BEM3D are employed to illustrate the utility of the fracture propagation systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Engle Jr.; R.M. (1970) Cracks, a FORTRANIV Digital computer program for crack propagation analysis. AFFDL-TR-70-107, October

  2. Failure Analysis Associates. BIGIF Fracture Mechanics Code for Structures. Principal investigators: P.M. Besuner; D.C. Peters; R.C. Cipolla. EPRI NP-838, Project 700-1, Key Phase Report, Manual 1, July 1978

  3. Chang, J.B.; Szamossi, M.; Liu, K.-W. (1981) A user's manual for a detailed level fatigue crack growth analysis computer code, Volume I—The CRKGRO program. AFWAL-TR-81-3903

  4. Chang, J.B.; Szamossi, M.; Liu, K.-W. (1981) A user's manual for a computer program to predict fatigue crack growth on flight-by-flight basis—The FLTGRO program. AFWAL-TR-81-3904

  5. Atluri, S.N.; Bass, B.R.; Bryson, J.W.; Kathiresan, K. (1982) OR-FLAW: A finite element program for direct evaluation of K-factors for user-defined flaws in plates, cylinders, and pressure-vessel nozzle corners. NUREG/CR-2494, ORNL/CSD/TM-165 April

  6. Gerstle, W.H. (1986) Finite and boundary element modelling of crack propagation in two and three dimensions using interactive computer graphics. Ph.D. thesis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, January

    Google Scholar 

  7. Perucchio, R.; Ingraffea, A.R. (1985) An integrated boundary element analysis system with interactive computer graphics for three-dimensional linear-elastic fracture mechanics. Comput. Struct. 20(1–3), 157–171

    Google Scholar 

  8. Saouma, V.E. (1981) Interactive finite element analysis of reinforced concrete. Ph.D. thesis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, January

    Google Scholar 

  9. Saouma, V.E.; Ingraffea, A.R. (1981) Fracture analysis of discrete cracking. Colloq. Adv. Mech. Reinf. Concrete, IABSE, Delft, 393–416

  10. Han, T.-Y. (1981) A general two-dimensional, interactive graphical finite element preprocessor for a virtual storage environment. M.S. thesis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

    Google Scholar 

  11. Barsoum, R.S. (1976) On the use of isoparametric finite elements in linear fracture mechanics. Int. J. Num. Meth. Eng. 10, 25–37

    Google Scholar 

  12. Erdogan, F.; Sih, G.D. (1963) On the crack extension in plates under plane loading and transverse shear. ASME J. Bas. Eng. 85, 519–527

    Google Scholar 

  13. Hussain, M.A.; Pu, S.L.; Underwood, J.H. (1974) Strain energy release rate for a crack under combined Mode I and Mode II. Fracture Analysis, ASTM STP 560, pp. 2–28

    Google Scholar 

  14. Sih, G.C. (1974) Strain energy density factor applied to mixed-mode crack problems. Int. J. Fract. 10, 305–321

    Google Scholar 

  15. Gerstle, W.H.; Ingraffea, A.R. (1985) Error control in three-dimensional crack modelling using boundary element method. Advanced Topics in Boundary Element Analysis, ASME AMD 72, pp. 205–211

    Google Scholar 

  16. Rolfe, S.T.; Barsom, J.M. (1977) Fracture and fatigue control in structures. In: Applications of Fracture Mechanics. Englewood Cliffs, NI: Prentice-Hall

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hajjar, J.F. (1984) General-purpose three-dimensional colorpostprocessing for engineering analysis. M.S. thesis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

    Google Scholar 

  18. Gerstle, W.H.; Ingraffea, A.R. (1986) Boundary element modeling of crack propagation in three dimensions. In: Proceedings of the Second Boundary Element Technology Conference (Eds. J. Connors; C. Brebbia), Cambridge, MA, pp. 651–662, June

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of New Mexico, 87106, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Walter H. Gerstle

  2. Department of Structural Engineering and Program of Computer Graphics, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, New York

    Luiz F. Martha & Anthony R. Ingraffea

Authors
  1. Walter H. Gerstle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Luiz F. Martha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anthony R. Ingraffea
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gerstle, W.H., Martha, L.F. & Ingraffea, A.R. Finite and boundary element modeling of crack propagation in two and three dimensions. Engineering with Computers 2, 167–183 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01201264

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01201264

Keywords

Search

Navigation