Fracture Mechanics

Ref: Prashant Kumar, Elements of Fracture Mechanics, Tata McGraw Hill

Griffiths Theory
Analytical Solution Inglis (1913) At A, For a Circular hole: For an Elliptical hole with a>>b:
Ref: 1

Very large! For a sharp crack: Even a crack of small length will instantaneously grow Contradiction!!! and break the component

Griffiths Theory
Surface Energy Interior atoms attraction or repulsion more or less uniform in all directions Atom on free surface no neighboring atoms on one side results in different equilibrium Energy is required to form new surface Surface Energy

Griffiths Theory
Energy Release Energy release parts adjacent to the cracked surfaces Assumption energy release from the triangular area Energy released:

Ref: 1

Griffiths Theory
Surface Energy Required = Surface energy / unit area / unit surface

Energy required:
At For an increase in crack length,

Ref: 1

For a crack to become critical,

Griffiths Theory
Critical crack length Substituting for ER and ES, in Critical crack length Stress required to advance a crack
Material
Copper Mild Steel Aluminum

Surface Energy (J/sq.m)

0.98 1.20 0.60

1J energy will raise the temperature of one teaspoon of water by 0.05 degree Celcius only

Irwin and Orowan

Energy Release Rate, G : Energy release per unit increase in area during crack growth Crack Resistance, R : Energy required for a crack to grow per unit area

Crack growth takes place only when,

Energy Release Rate

Conservation of energy

Energy available for crack growth Work done by the external forces Increase in strain energy within the body

Energy Release Rate

Constant load case

Work is done on the system

Ref: 1

Flexure of cantilever absorbs part of the work done Potential energy

Energy Release Rate

Constant load test

C - Compliance

Energy Release Rate

Fixed Grip case

Ref: 1

No Work is done as the crack advances Release of strain energy as the crack advance Potential energy

Energy Release Rate

Fixed Grip case

Energy Release Rate

General case

Ref: 1

Energy Release Rate

HW: Determine the energy release rate of DCB specimen loaded in a tensile testing machine.

Other approaches
Energy Release Rate, G : Energy based for brittle or less brittle materials

Stress Intensity factor, K : Stress based for brittle or less brittle materials Crack Tip Opening Displacement, CTOD: Displacement based

J- Integral, J

for ductile materials