Open Access

ARTICLE

Mixed-Mode Crack Propagation Calculations in a Pure Hexahedral Mesh

G. Dhondt¹

1 MTU Aero Engines, Postfach 50 06 40, D-80976 Munich, Germany

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring 2005, 1(1), 21-34. https://doi.org/10.3970/sdhm.2005.001.021

Abstract

An algorithm is described which allows for the automatic calculation of crack propagation due to cyclic loading under mixed-mode conditions. The core of the procedure deals with the insertion of an arbitrarily formed crack into a virgin 20-node brick element mesh, thereby generating new quadratic bricks. One especially difficult aspect is the extension of the triangulation of the crack surface up to the boundary of the crack front elements. In the present article the technique is applied to linear elastic calculations using the stress intensity factor concept and a Paris-type law. However, other crack propagation parameters and crack propagation laws can be used equally well.

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Keywords

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