An experimental/analytical comparison of three-dimensional deformations atthe tip of a crack in a plastically deforming plate - II: Material characterization and finite element analysis

This paper is the second of three devoted to a detailed study of the three- dimensional deformation at the tip of a notch in a ductile steel plate load ed in three-point bending. A finite element model has been constructed prep aratory for a comparison with the experimental data in the subsequent paper ; the geometry and material properties have been carefully matched to the e xperiment described in a preceding paper. The experiments to provide the co mplete description of the relevant material behavior are presented, followe d by the details of the numerical model and some sample results. Young's mo dulus and the yield behavior are evaluated. Because any error in Poisson's ratio induces an error of the same order of magnitude in the three-dimensio nal elastic displacement field, this quantity is also measured with moire i nterferometry to within +/-1 percent. Also, besides matching the material p roperties and geometry of the numerical model to the three-point-bend exper iment, the development of (tunneling) fracture within the interior of the s pecimen is determined; these measurements are incorporated into the numeric al model by releasing appropriate nodes.*