FINITE ELEMENT FRACTURE MECHANICS ANALYSIS OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND AXISYMMETRIC ELASTIC AND ELASTIC-PLASTIC CRACKED STRUCTURES

Abstract

Improved methods for calculating fracture mechanics parameters at critical fatigue and fracture prone areas of complex structural details are summarized. This work is a part of a broader effort aimed at the development of analytical methods for fatigue and fracture analysis of submarine hulls. An approach based on the combination of high order isoparametric finite elements with a singular crack tip element is described and applied to the prediction of elastic stress intensity factor for Mode I or combined Modes I and II crack behavior. Examples of the application of the methods to two-dimensional and axisymmetric problems are presented along with recommendations for future studies and applications.