Crack propagation in isotropic materials

  • Jarmila Coughlan

    Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis

    Abstract

    This thesis presents a numerical study of crack propagation in brittle materials. The finite element method using constant strain triangular elements was used. The experimental investigation is based on Gurney and Hunt's quasi-static method of fracture testing.

    The applicability of the finite element method of analysis to problems of fracture mechanics is demonstrated for the simple cases where a theoretical solution is obtainable. The comparison of both solutions gives good agreement.

    The effect of test specimen geometry and the effect of halting the crack tip on one side of a symmetrical specimen on stability and the shape of P,u curve is investigated. Numerical P,u curves are produced and compared with those obtained experiment­ ally. A good correlation of results may be seen.

    The possibility of using an O-section as a fracture toughness specimen is discussed.

    Determination of the crack path using dV/da energy criterion is shown and the results are verified by experiments using the brittle lacquer technique.

    Possible future work is discussed in the last chapter.
    Date of Award1973
    Original languageEnglish
    Awarding Institution
    • Glamorgan Polytechnic

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