Finite element analysis of the delamination crack propagation in laminated composites is presented. Fracture mechanics based Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), and the cohesive element technique, have been used to simulate the delamination initiation and propagation under Mode-I type loading. Detailed description of the parameter selection process for these two techniques with ABAQUS®/Stan...

In this paper, two different techniques for mixed-mode type engineering fracture analysis, by using the weight-function method, are presented. These two methods are (a) the virtual crack extension technique (VCE), and (b) the equivalent domain integral method (EDI). For mixed-mode weight-function evaluation, a technique of using two reference load states, both of which cannot be either pure mod...

Multi-site damage (MSD) has been a challenge to aircraft, civil and power plant structures. In real life components are subjected to cracking at many vulnerable locations such as the bolt holes. However, we do not consider for the presence of multiple cracks. Unlike components with a single crack, these components are difficult to predict. When two cracks approach one another, their stress fiel...

This paper is directed towards :nite element computation of fracture parameters in functionally graded material (FGM) assemblages of arbitrary geometry with stationary cracks. Graded :nite elements are developed where the elastic moduli are smooth functions of spatial co-ordinates which are integrated into the element sti=ness matrix. In particular, stress intensity factors for mode I and mixed...

A new approach was developed for the evaluation of energy release rate by the virtual crack closure technique in quadratic and linear elements. The generalized method allows arbitrary placement of the side nodes for quadratic elements and thus includes both standard elements, with mid-side nodes, and singularity elements, with quarter-point nodes, as special cases of one general equation. It al...

Abstract-A plate with a pre-existent through crack is considered under the action of a remote bending moment and a remote in-plane force. The problem statement is reduced to the solution of two coupled integral equations with strongly singular kernels. The independent variables in the latter equations are the closure displacement and rotation angle. The corresponding closure force and moment di...