Three- Dimensional Simulation of Crack Propagation using Finite Element Method

Abstract

The 3D finite element software ANSYS Workbench software has been employed for simulation of engineering geometries which are containing a pre-cracks and holes. The new feature in this software is using the smart crack growth procedure and the mesh smoothing technique which provides an adaptive and smooth mesh around the crack path as well as the higher stresses area. Under the assumption of LEFM, the stress intensity factors was used as a crack growth criterion which provided as indicators of failure compared to the fracture toughness or threshold stress intensity factors (SIFs) in both static and dynamic loading respectively. The stress intensity factors were calculated for every crack growth step and the fatigue life time was predicted according to the number of cycles. The effect of the nominal notch position of the crack was illustrated. Simulations performed with Ansys show an identical crack path on structures that is in line with that of the experimental and numerical results performed by other researchers.