Crack Propagation Test and Structural Analysis for Predicting Fracture Behavior of Aluminum Alloy Tanks

Abstract

Physics model-based quantitative safety analysis method should be established both for meeting the strict flight safety requirement and maximize the mission flexibility of the flagship liquid rockets. Tank destruction model of the crack propagation triggered by the pre-generated longitudinal slit hole has been developed, based on the dynamic explicit FEM analysis, and the crack propagation test methods for the model validation. The crack propagation test method for the flat panel with and without rib structures was proposed and demonstrated to obtain the valid data for the investigation of the destruction mechanisms and the model validation. Computed crack propagation speed was agreed well with the experimental data, thus the test method was demonstrated for the material model parameter identifications.