The goal of this research is to investigate the combined effects of glass fibre reinforcement and molecular orientation in polypropylene-short glass fibre composites. Specimens have been fabricated using the injection moulding process and drawn using a small die drawing rig. The effects of die drawing on the fibre composites are complex, with the drawing process orienting both the polymer molecules and the glass fibres. This may be accompanied by the creation of voids in the polymer matrix and their destruction in the compressive stress field thus restoring the interfacial contact area between fibre and matrix. Unfilled and short glass fibre filled polypropylene specimens, with fibre content 7% wt, 13%wt, 27%wt, and 55%wt, were injection moulded prior to the die drawing process. An experimental program of die drawing within an oven at elevated temperature was conducted for polypropylene filled to various levels and at different strain rates. The specimens drew to draw ratios in the range γ=1.41 to γ=5.6. Mechanical characterization of the test materials has been conducted by examining the tensile stress strain and fracture behaviour under uniaxial conditions. The influence of glass fibre content and drawing conditions (draw ratio) on the fracture toughness and crack propagation was investigated using the double edge notched fracture test. The notch lengths ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 mm for 10 mm wide specimens. The critical stress intensity factor increased as the fibre content increased up to a limiting filler level. The fracture toughness of both unfilled and fibre filled polypropylene were found to be highly dependent on draw ratio. The results were analysed to find out the optimal draw ratio and fibre content that yielded the maximum modulus, strength and fracture toughness. Data showed that, at a given draw ratio, modulus, strength and fracture toughness increased with increasing fibre content to a maximum and then decreased. The optimum material was obtained at a draw ratio of 2.5 and filler loading 13wt%.

Neste trabalho apresenta-se a formulação do problema de múltiplas fissuras baseada numa abordagem de superposição utilizada pelo Método da Partição (Splitting Method). Um dos objetivos principais deste trabalho refere-se à aferição da capacidade deste método na obtenção de fatores de intensidade de tensão, tendo em vista o seu desenvolvimento recente e a ausência de outras fontes de pesquisa além daquelas oriundas dos seus próprios autores. Segundo a abordagem do Método da Partição, os fatores de intensidade de tensão finais de uma estrutura podem ser encontrados a partir da sobreposição de três subproblemas. Deste modo, o problema é resolvido mediante imposição de que nas faces das fissuras as tensões que resultam da sobreposição sejam nulas. Sendo assim, apresenta-se a formulação do Método da Partição para uma ou mais fissuras e diversas análises numéricas que contemplam interação entre fissuras submetidas aos modos I e II de abertura. Outra etapa do trabalho refere-se à aplicação do Método dos Elementos Finitos Generalizados (MEFG) num dos subproblemas, dito local, ao invés do emprego do Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF), que em sua forma convencional pode requerer um refinamento excessivo da malha, particularmente junto à ponta da fissura, aumentando o custo computacional da análise. Exemplos de simulação numérica são apresentados no sentido de comprovar que a utilização do MEFG viabiliza a obtenção de resultados com boa aproximação mesmo com malhas pouco refinadas, reduzindo significativamente o custo computacional de toda a análise. Além disto, é apresentada a formulação do Método da Partição para casos que contemplam também fissuras internas, uma vez que a formulação atual admite somente fissuras de borda. / This work presents the formulation of the problem of multiple cracks based on an superposition approach used by the Splitting Method. The main goal of this work concerns the verification of the ability of this method of obtaining stress intensity factors, in view of its recent development and the absence of other research sources beyond those derived from their own authors. According to the approach of Splitting Method, the final stress intensity factors of a structure can be found from the superposition of three subproblems. Thus, the problem is solved by superposition and then imposing the nullity of the stresses on the faces of cracks. Thus, the formulation of the Splitting Method is presented to one or more cracks and also several numerical simulations that consider the interaction between cracks subjected to opening mode I and II. Another part of this work concerns the application of the Generalized Finite Element Method (GFEM) in the local subproblem instead of the use of Finite Element Method (FEM), which in its conventional form may require an excessive mesh refinement, particularly near the tip the crack, increasing the computational cost of analysis. Examples of numerical simulation are presented in order to show that the use of GFEM enables to obtain results with good approximation even with little refined meshes, thus significantly reducing the computational cost of the entire analysis. Moreover, the formulation of the Splitting Method is presented for cases which also have internal cracks due to the current formulation admits only boundary cracks.

Neste trabalho, apresenta-se a formulação do método dos elementos de contorno dual (MECD) aplicada a análise de problemas da Mecânica da Fratura Elástica Linear (MFEL). O objetivo da pesquisa consiste em avaliar o fator de intensidade de tensão (FIT) de sólidos bidimensionais fraturados, por meio de três técnicas distintas, quais são: a técnica da correlação dos deslocamentos, a técnica com base no estado de tensão na extremidade da fratura e a técnica da integral. As análises são realizadas utilizando o código computacional desenvolvido durante a pesquisa, que incorpora as formulações diretas em deslocamento e em força de superfície, do método dos elementos de contorno (MEC), com destaque para a utilização dos elementos de contorno curvos de ordem qualquer. No MECD as equações integrais singulares do tipo O(\'R POT.-1\') e O(\'R POT.-2\') são avaliadas satisfatoriamente com o Método da Subtração de Singularidade (MSS). Dessas integrais resultam termos analíticos, os quais são avaliados por meio do Valor Principal de Cauchy (VPC) e da Parte Finita de Hadamard (PFH). Compara-se o código desenvolvido com as soluções analíticas encontradas na literatura inclusive na análise de sólidos com fraturas predefinidas e para a avaliação do FIT, que produziram bons resultados. / This work presents the dual boundary element formulation applied to linear crack problem. The goal of this research is the evaluation of stress intensity factor for two-dimensional crack problem using three different techniques, which are: the technique of correlation of displacements, the technique based on the state of tension at the crack tip and J integral. The analysis is performed using the computational code developed during the research, which incorporates the direct formulations related to displacement and traction boundary element equation. A greater emphasis is given to the use of curved boundary element of any order. In the dual boundary element method the singular integral equations with singular others O(\'R POT.-1\') and O(\'R POT.-2\') are assessed satisfactorily with the application of the singularity subtraction method. The results of these singular integrals are evaluated by the Cauchy Principal Value and the Hadamard Finite Part. The code developed is compared with the analytical solutions found in the literature including the analysis of solids with fractures default and evaluation of stress intensity factor, which produced good results.

Lors du chargement cyclique d’une pièce métallique fissurée, un champ de température hétérogène est créé à la pointe de la fissure. Ce champ de température est dû à trois types de sources de chaleur : (i) la première source est une source de couplage thermoélastique liée à la partie hydrostatique du tenseur des contraintes résultant de la sollicitation mécanique cyclique. Elle fluctue périodiquement dans le temps et l’énergie qui lui est associée est nulle à la fin de chaque cycle de chargement ; (ii) la deuxième source de chaleur est une source dissipative et intrinsèque au comportement du matériau. Elle est reliée au phénomène de l’auto-échauffement dû à la microplasticité dissipée en chaleur dans le matériau à l’échelle microscopique. Elle est positive et s’accumule dans le temps ; (iii) enfin, la troisième source de chaleur a les mêmes origines et propriétés que la deuxième source, mais elle est associée à la plasticité, à l’échelle macroscopique, qui se dissipe en chaleur dans la zone de plasticité cyclique à la pointe de la fissure. En présence de ces trois sources de chaleur, le champ de température résultant génère un champ de contrainte dû au phénomène de la dilatation thermique. Ce nouveau champ des contraintes s’ajoute au champ des contraintes dû au chargement mécanique cyclique, et donc l’état des contraintes sur la fissure est modifié. En conséquence, le facteur d’intensité des contraintes, qui est un paramètre clé dans la modélisation de la propagation des fissures, est modifié. D’où l’objectif de cette thèse qui vise à quantifier les conséquences de ces trois sources de chaleur sur le facteur d’intensité des contraintes, et ce dans le cas d’une fissure longue de fatigue. / By subjecting a cracked specimen to a cyclic loading, thermal effects take place and create a heterogeneous temperature field around the crack tip. Those thermal effects are associated with coupling and dissipative heat sources, namely: (i) the heat source due to thermoelastic coupling generated by the hydrostatic part of the stress tensor related to cyclic mechanical loading; (ii) the heat source due to intrinsic dissipation associated with the self-heating phenomena originating from plasticity at the microscopic scale; (iii) and the heat source due to cyclic plasticity, at the macroscopic scale, which occurs in the reverse cyclic plastic zone ahead of the crack tip, and dissipates into heat. The overall heterogeneous temperature field resulting from the heat sources induces a heterogeneous stress field due to thermal expansion phenomena. As a consequence, the stress state over the crack is modified and leads to modify the stress intensity factor, which is a key parameter in modeling fatigue crack growth. Therefore, the aim of this PhD thesis is to quantify the consequences of the heat sources on the stress intensity factor, in the case of a long propagating fatigue crack.

No presente trabalho foi estudado o comportamento de um aço inoxidável austenítico do sistema Fe-Cr-Mn-N, nas condições como recebido, solubilizado e sensitizado, quando submetidos à meios contendo cloretos. Para analisar a suscetibilidade à corrosão sob tensão foram utilizados corpos de prova dos tipos DCB (\"Double Cantilever Beam\") e C(T) (\"Compact- Tension\"), pré-trincados em fadiga, com entalhes laterais e carregados com cunhas. Os meios empregados foram as soluções aquosas 45% em peso de MgCl2 na temperatura de ebulição de 154°C, água do mar sintética na temperatura ambiente e de ebulição de 100°C e 3,5% em peso de NaCI na temperatura ambiente. A suscetibilidade à corrosão sob tensão foi avaliada em termos do fator limite de intensidade de tensão, KISCC, e foram caracterizados os aspectos fractográficos dos corpos de prova em que ocorreram propagação de trinca por corrosão sob tensão. Foi verificado que apenas os corpos de prova do aço E3949 nas condições como recebido e sensitizado, foram suscetíveis à corrosão sob tensão em solução aquosa de 45% em peso de MgCl2 na temperatura de ebulição. Também foi determinado o comportamento eletroquímico do material nas condições citadas acima com relação aos meios empregados. Os resultados das curvas de polarização obtidas mostraram que o material apresenta baixa resistência à corrosão, principalmente em meios de MgCl2. / The present work studies the stress corrosion cracking behavior in austenitic Fe-Cr-Mn-N stainless steel, in as received, solubilized and sensitized conditions, when submited to several chlorides environments. To evalued the stress corrosion cracking susceptibility, DCB (\"Double Cantilcver Beam\") and C(T) (\"Compact- Tension\") specimens, fatigue precracked, side grooved and wedge loaded were used. The environments employed were boiling solution of 45 wt% of MgCl2 at 154ºC, synthetic sea water at room and 100°C temperatures, and a solution with 3,5 wt% of NaCI at room temperature. The susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking has been evaluated in terms of the threshold stress intensity factor, KISCC, and the fracture surface appearance of those specimens whose the crack propagation took place was characterized. The results showed that only the specimens in the as received and sensitized conditions, were suceptible to the stress corrosion cracking effect in the solution with 45 wt% of MgCl2 at the boilling temperature. Also, it has been verified the electrochemical behavior of this steel when submited in the above environments. The results of polarization curves showed that the material presents low corrosion strength, mainly in MgCl2 environments.

Este trabalho trata da análise de problemas da Mecânica da Fratura Elástica Linear (MFEL) utilizando o Método dos Elementos de Contorno (MEC). Esse método constitui uma poderosa e precisa técnica de análise numérica. A necessidade da discretização somente do contorno do modelo é um dos grandes atrativos do MEC. Na Mecânica da Fratura, o MEC é adequado pela própria natureza de sua formulação, a qual está baseada em soluções fundamentais. Dentre os parâmetros da MFEL, destaca-se o Fator de Intensidade de Tensão (FIT). No presente desenvolvimento, esse parâmetro é analisado numericamente pela técnica da correlação dos deslocamentos e por uma técnica alternativa a qual emprega o campo de tensões presente na extremidade da trinca. A direção do crescimento da trinca é analisada por meio do critério da Máxima Tensão Circunferencial. Os resultados obtidos são comparados à solução analítica e a outros resultados encontrados na literatura. / This work deals with the analysis of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) problems using the Boundary Element Method (BEM). This method is a powerful and accurate technique of numerical analysis. The need of discretization only of the boundary of the model is one of the major advantageous features of the BEM. In Fracture Mechanics, the BEM is adequate due to its intrinsic formulation, which is based on fundamental solutions. In the LEFM, the Stress Intensity Factors (SIF) is one of the most important parameters. In the present study, this parameter is numerically analyzed by the correlation displacement technique and by an alternative technique which considers the stress field at the crack tip. The direction of the crack growth is analyzed using the criterion of Maximum Circumferential Stress. The results are compared to the analytical solution and to other results of literature.

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A new testing method was introduced and developed to determine Mode I fracture toughness of disc type rock specimens. The new method was named as Straight Notched Disc Bending and it uses disc specimens under three-point bending. 3D Numerical modeling was carried out with a finite element program ABAQUS to find stress intensity factors for both well-known Semi-circular Bending specimen models and Straight Notched Disc Bending specimen models for varying disc geometries. Both specimen types included notches where a crack front is introduced at the tip of the notch to compute the stress intensity factors. For stress intensity analysis, crack front-upper loading point distance and span length between the two roller supports at the bottom boundary of the specimens were changed. Fracture toughness testing was carried on Ankara G&ouml / lbaSi pink colored andesite for both specimen types / crack front-upper loading point distance and span length between the two roller supports at the bottom boundary of the specimens were changed during the tests. For both specimen geometries, notch lengths changing from 5 mm to 20 mm were used. For each notch length, two different roller supports with span lengths 60 mm and 70 mm were used. For both methods, fracture toughness values determined by using numerically computed stress intensity factors and failure loads obtained from the experiments were very close / the new method was verified by comparing the results. The new method had advantages of lower confining pressure at the crack front and lower stress intensities with a possible smaller crack tip plasticity region.

Flattened Brazilian disc and modified ring test methods are attractive methods being simpler compared to the other mode I fracture toughness testing methods on rock cores. The aim of this study is to improve these simple methods to yield fracture toughness values that are close to the ones determined by the suggested methods. ABAQUS finite element program was used to determine stress intensity factors of models with various dimensions. Comparing fracture toughness to the results obtained by semicircular bending method tests (0.94 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for andesite and 0.56 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for marble) and the cracked chevron notched Brazilian disc method tests (1.45 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for andesite and 1.08 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for marble), proper geometrical parameters were investigated by changing diameter, central-hole diameter, and loading angle of Ankara andesite and Afyon marble specimens. Semicircular bending method results were lower than the cracked chevron notched Brazilian disc method results. With flattened Brazilian disc method, the closest results (1.45 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for andesite and 1.12 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for marble) to the suggested method was obtained by 54 mm diameter discs with loading angles between 32.5&deg / and 38.0&deg / and with thicknesses between 19 mm and 34 mm. With modified ring test on andesite, the closest results to the suggested method was obtained by 75 mm diameter discs with 8 mm central-hole diameter and 25&deg / loading angle (1.47 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for andesite and 1.07 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for marble), and with 14 mm central-hole diameter and 16&deg / loading angle (1.50 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for andesite and 1.05 MPa&amp / #8730 / m for marble).