‘‘Numerical Analysis Of Plate Crack Arrester Under Mixed Mode I & II Fracture’’

Abstract

Running cracks on structural components and parts initiate and start propagating in low toughness regions. When an external stiffener like a crack arrester plate is applied to a cracked object, the focus will be taken away from stress concentration zone, and the measure of stress intensity near decreases instantly. This paper researches the behavior and effectiveness of crack arresters for the operational maintenance of structural parts that experience cracking using numerical methods. Linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) approach is employed where stress intensity factor (SIF) is used as a measure of fracture at the crack tip. The crack driving force SIF is computed using the newly advancing crack growth simulation technique called separating, morphing, adaptive, and re-meshing technology (SMART) algorithm inside Workbench 2022 R1 from ANSYS_Products_2022_R1_x64_Multilingual package. The cracked CTS specimen model with two crack-to-width ratios is analyzed with and without the attachment of crack arresters for different thicknesses of both the specimen and crack arrester. The form of deformation of the CA under 30o and 60o load angle mixed mode loadings and the effectiveness of the CA in each model were studied thoroughly. The mechanism of CTS specimens on numerical tools offers helpful results by becoming a good means of testing and analyzing different shapes, materials, and sizes of crack arresters under mixed mode I & II loadings. The crack deflection path and the SIFs for pre-cracked CTS specimen under mixed mode I and II loading showed good agreement with previous experimental works. Reduction in the magnitude of SIF due to the application of CAs and, increased efficiency by thicker CA is achieved. It’s also shown that large thickness of the load bearing member may not be the only solution rather application of CAs can also give better results with lesser cost.