Analysis of stress distribution in compression precracking

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to shed some light on the effect of the notch/crack‐tip stresses and their role on the cyclic plasticity and crack growth behavior in compression‐compression fatigue.

Design/methodology/approach

Compression precracking was studied using 2D finite element analysis for CT specimen. The final crack length and the shape of the crack front were compared with those obtained experimentally.

Findings

It has been found that cyclic plasticity and stress redistribution govern the observed fatigue crack growth behavior in compression‐compression precracking. Only the internal stress corresponding to P_max shows a significant redistribution with the crack extension whereas the stress corresponding P_min is not affected by the increase of crack length.

Research limitations/implications

This results are limited to Mode I cracking.

Practical implications

It supports that two thresholds, ΔK^th and K_max^th, govern the fatigue crack behavior. When the contribution from the internal tensile stress is not big enough to make K_max exceed K_max^th the crack will self arrest.

Originality/value

It has been found that cyclic plasticity and stress redistribution govern the observed fatigue crack growth behavior in compression‐compression precracking. The comparison of the numerical results with experimental data in terms of final crack length and crack front shape indicated a fair agreement.

Citation

Yu, J. and Kujawski, D. (2010), "Analysis of stress distribution in compression precracking", International Journal of Structural Integrity, Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 140-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/17579861011053871