Sensitivity of using blunt and sharp crack models in elastic-plastic fracture mechanics

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5576393

Pan, Y C; Kennedy, J M; Marchertas, A H

J-integral values are calculated for both the blunt (smeared) crack and the sharp (discrete) crack models in elastic-plastic fracture mechanics problems involving metallic materials. A sensitivity study is performed to show the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two cracking models. It is concluded that the blunt crack model is less dependent on the orientation of the mesh. For the mesh which is in line with the crack direction, however, the sharp crack model is less sensitive to the mesh size. Both models yield reasonable results for a properly discretized finite-element mesh. A subcycling technique is used in this study in the explicit integration scheme so that large time steps can be used for the coarse elements away from the crack tip. The savings of computation time by this technique are reported. 6 refs., 9 figs.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5576393
• Report Number(s): CONF-850809-49; ON: DE85010288
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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