3-D Simulation of Arbitrary Crack Growth Using a New Energy-Based Formulation
Brett Davis (Cornell University), Paul Wawrzynek (), Anthony Ingraffea (Cornell University)
Crack initiation and growth: methods, applications, and challenges
Tue 9:00 - 10:30
Sayles Auditorium
A finite-element-based simulation technique has been developed to predict arbitrary shape evolution of 3-D, geometrically explicit, planar cracks under stable growth conditions. Point-by-point extensions along a crack front are predicted using a new, energy-based growth formulation that relies on a first-order expansion of the energy release rate. The crack growth formulation expresses the variation of energy release rate as an influence function. The influence function is incorporated into an iterative simulation procedure that continually updates the crack configuration by re-meshing, enabling the prediction of arbitrary crack-shape evolution. The numerical technique allows crack shapes to evolve according to energy-based mechanics, while reducing the effects of computational artifacts, e.g. mesh bias. A series of crack-growth simulations are presented as proof-of-concept and verification of the new simulation technique.