FEM Simulation of Anisotropy Affected Fatigue Crack Propagation Path on Pure Aluminum Sheet

Abstract

In this study, the phenomenon of anisotropy affected fatigue crack growth path which propagated to rolling direction as mixed mode (I+II) condition was simulated with Finite Element Method (FEM) using nodal extrapolation method. In this FEM simulation, the crack propagates to rolling direction when total stress intensity factor, ΔK_<total> &ge; 5.0 and stress ration between yield stress and the nominal stress, R' is between 2.0 and 2.7 under effect of mode II and I stress intensity factor ratio, ΔK_II/ΔK_I. This simulation method can also predict the fatigue crack propagation path near various stress concentrator configurations.