Crack growth predictions by cohesive zone model for ductile fracture

For crack growth by a ductile failure mechanism, the fracture process zone is represented in terms of special interface elements in the crack plane ah ead of the crack. A porous ductile material model is used in the interface elements to represent the growth of voids to coalescence. in relation to th e finite element mesh, the initial width of the interface is taken to be ze ro, but the traction separation relations represented by the interface are based on assuming an interface width of the order of the void spacing, The tangential stresses inside the interface are determined by the requirement of compatibility with the surrounding material in the tangential direction. Some comparison with predictions based on related crack growth models is u sed to discuss the performance of the special cohesive zone model presented here. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.