Issue 22

R. K. Bhagat et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 22 (2012) 5-11 ; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.22.01 6 M ATERIAL AND METHODS Specimen geometry and assumptions n the present investigation rectangular thin plate with centre inclined crack are used in FE modelling. The different crack configurations are shown in Figs. 1-2. The thickness of the plate is kept 1 mm; length and width of the plates are kept 100 mm and 100 mm respectively. Two cracks at the centre of the plate are separated by an offset distance H. Figure 1 : Specimen geometry of two non parallel central inclined cracks. Figure 2 : Specimen geometry of two parallel central inclined cracks. Specimen material Young’s modulus (GPa) Poisson’s ratio Steel 210 0.3 Table 1 : Material properties. Method Stress intensity factors (mode-I and mode-II) have been calculated for a thin steel plate under plane strain condition containing central inclined multiple cracks for different conditions and orientations (as shown in Figs. 1-2) by ANSYS software. A single central crack model are also analysed by present method and results are verified by available experimental results of Singh and Gope [9] obtained by photo elastic method. PLANE 82 (8-nod 2-D) elements shown in Fig 3 have been used in the analysis. PLANE 82 elements provide more accurate results for mixed (quadrilateral-triangular) automatic meshes and can tolerate irregular shapes without much loss of accuracy. The 8-node elements have compatible displacement shapes and are well suited to model curved boundaries. The element may be used as a plane element or as an axis symmetric element. The element has plasticity, creep, swelling, stress stiffening, large deflection, and large strain capabilities. Figure 3 : PLANE 82 elements with 8-nodes. I