Fatigue Crack Growth Simulation Using S-Version FEM : 3rd Report, Fatigue of 3D. Surface Crack

Abstract

Fatigue crack growth under mixed mode loading conditions is simulated using S-FEM. By using S-FEM technique, only local mesh should be re-meshed and it becomes easy to simulate crack growth. By combining with re-meshing technique, local mesh is re-meshed automatically, and curved crack path is modeled easily. Fully automatic crack growth simulation system in 3-dimensional problem is developed. At first, a basic slant surface crack problem is solved, and it is shown that surface crack grows under pure mode I conditions, which is similar in 2-dimensional problem. It is also shown that this system is available for complicated structure, for example, surface crack at inner surface of pipe. Finally, interaction effect of two surface cracks is evaluated.