Computational simulation of fatigue crack growth and demonstration of leakbefore break criterion

A thick plate with a semi-elliptical surface crack subjected to remote tens ion and tension fatigue loading is considered for the analysis, In the pres ent study the material is assumed to have variable fracture toughness in th e surface and thickness directions, Material with isotropic fracture toughn ess is also considered. The developed three dimensional finite element code which has the capability to handle singularity and evaluate fracture param eter based on force method is used to characterise the fatigue crack growth . Parametric study involving various initial crack sizes is carried out and Foreman's equation is used to predict the crack growth. Various regions vi z. break, leak before break are obtained. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.