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Verification of a cohesive zone model for ductile fracture

Journal Article · · Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2804886· OSTI ID:237786
; ;  [1]
  1. GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht (Germany). Inst. of Materials Research
In the present paper, ductile crack growth in an aluminum alloy is numerically simulated using a cohesive zone model under both plane stress and plane strain conditions for two different fracture types, shear and normal modes. The cohesive law for ductile fracture consists of two parts--a specific materials` separation traction and energy. Both are assumed to be constant during ductile fracture (stable crack growth). In order to verify the assumed cohesive law to be suitable for ductile fracture processes, experimental records are used as control curves for the numerical simulations. For a constant separation traction, determined experimentally from tension test data, the corresponding cohesive energy was determined by finite element calculations. It is confirmed that the cohesive zone model can be used to characterize a single ductile fracture mode and is roughly independent of stable crack extension. Both the cohesive traction and the cohesive fracture energy should be material specific parameters. The extension of the cohesive zone is restricted to a very small region near the crack tip and is in the order of the physical fracture process. Based on the present observations, the cohesive zone model is a promising criterion to characterize ductile fracture.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
237786
Journal Information:
Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology, Journal Name: Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 118; ISSN 0094-4289; ISSN JEMTA8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English