This thesis presents a numerical study of crack propagation in brittle materials. The finite element method using constant strain triangular elements was used. The experimental investigation is based on Gurney and Hunt's quasi-static method of fracture testing. The applicability of the finite element method of analysis to problems of fracture mechanics is demonstrated for the simple cases where a theoretical solution is obtainable. The comparison of both solutions gives good agreement. The effect of test specimen geometry and the effect of halting the crack tip on one side of a symmetrical specimen on stability and the shape of P,u curve is investigated. Numerical P,u curves are produced and compared with those obtained experimentally. A good correlation of results may be seen. The possibility of using an O-section as a fracture toughness specimen is discussed. Determination of the crack path using dV/da energy criterion is shown and the results are verified by experiments using the brittle lacquer technique. Possible future work is discussed in the last chapter.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:452338 |
| Date | January 1973 |
| Creators | Coughlan, Jarmila |
| Publisher | University of South Wales |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentthesis/crack-propagation-in-isotropic-materials(81a04d5c-462f-4032-a7cd-f8bd8dd06477).html |
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