Reliable stress and fracture mechanics analysis of complex components using a <i>h</i>–<i>p</i> version of FEM

Abstract

Abstract We develop effective approaches with which complex three‐dimensional components may be analysed with a high and virtually guaranteed accuracy. The main computational tool is a h‐p version of FEM practically realized with the p ‐version program STRIPE having a mesh generator for automatic mesh refinement at edges and vertices. Use of advanced extraction methods and new theoretical approaches give exponential convergence rates for accuracies in all engineering data of interest. New methods for reliable calculation of local stresses and stress intensity data at edges and vertices to be used for fatigue dimensioning at fillets, damage tolerance assessment of three‐dimensional flaws, etc., are given. A complex real‐life problem is reliably analysed in order to demonstrate the practical usefulness of the procedures advocated. The technical details will be given in forthcoming papers.