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This document is a reference list for a research paper on fracture mechanics and structural integrity. The paper explores the effect of element size on fracture propagation stress using energy criteria. The research was funded by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. The document also includes a Python code for an artificial neural network algorithm used in the research. The reference list contains other research papers on fracture mechanics, machine learning, and structural integrity. [Extracted from the article]

This paper analyses industrial PVC sheets structural integrity assessment widely used for different ranges of industrial applications. We investigated combined approaches focused on fracture toughness assessment to predict PVC mechanical behavior against failure. We ran a series of tests on tensile and single-edge notched samples at various crosshead speeds on a tensile test machine. PVC sheets' stress intensity factors were evaluated using both theoretical and experimental approaches to model crack growth. In the experimental procedure, we used the digital image correlation (DIC) method. We also developed a semi-empirical model to predict crack length over time. Furthermore, we proposed that the crack growth rate and stress intensity factor were satisfactorily correlated at all crosshead speeds and that the crack growth rate could be represented using a power-law model. In pre-cracked PVC specimens, the results showed that crack growth appears to be influenced by crosshead speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates the fatigue crack growth in typical bridge weldments by means of numerical analysis. The extended finite element (XFEM) method is coupled with the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) approach in ABAQUS, and parametric analyses are carried out in order to assess the influence of the main sample/testing features on the fatigue life of the investigated structures. The numerical results are found to be robust and reliable by performing comparisons with past experimental data and regulation design correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a benchmark analysis that was performed to demonstrate numerical simulation capability on fatigue crack growth (FCG) behaviour under cyclic bending. Economic design of a piping system against the leak-before-break (LBB) criteria require an accurate estimate of crack growth behaviour. To this end, two representative geometries were selected. The first model was a plate-type geometry with a specimen-type feature, and the other model was a prototype pipe bend geometry with the component feature. The numerically simulated FCG behaviour was found to agree with published data within engineering accuracy for both the specimen-level and the component-level geometries. Details of the FCG simulation, its validation against benchmark data, and plausible reasons the difference observed in the FCG behaviour of the specimen-level and full-scale component-level geometries are presented in this paper. The results of the FCG simulation strengthen the argument for performing component-level FCG simulation for an accurate demonstration of LBB for the power plant piping systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the fatigue assessment of cast steel defects in terms of macroscopic shrinkage porosity. Within preliminary studies, a generalized Kitagawa diagram GKD was established by numerical analyses of V-notched specimens with varying opening angles. It was experimentally verified by the application of the notch stress intensity factor (NSIF) concept on fatigue tests under rotating bending and axial loading. This paper continuous the work by an application of the GKD to real cast steel pores. At first, casting simulations are performed to design representative cast specimen geometries. The study focusses on macroscopic shrinkage pores with different spatial shapes. At second, fatigue tests under axial loading are conducted. Subsequent fracture surface analysis by light optical and scanning electron microscopy provides fracture mechanical based geometry parameters. Finally, the results of the experiments related to the failure relevant defect sizes are assessed by the GKD. In order to define an equivalent defect size of the complexly shaped defects, numerical crack growth analyses are performed demonstrating crack coalescence path tendencies. Summing up, the application of the NSIF approach based on a GKD shows a sound accordance to the experimental results and thus provides an engineering-feasible fatigue assessment method of cast steel components with macroscopic imperfections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the fracture of composite materials containing stress concentration features such as notches and holes. In particular, it addresses the question of the use of the Theory of Critical Distances (TCD) - a method which is widely used for predicting notch effects in fatigue and fracture. The TCD makes use of a length constant, L, known as the critical distance, which is normally assumed to be a material property. However, many workers in the field of composite materials have suggested that the critical distance is not a constant, but rather is a function of notch size. I examined the evidence for this assertion, and concluded that it arises for four different reasons, two of which (process zone size and constraint) are real material effects whilst the other two (choice of test specimen and estimation of the stress field) arise due to errors in making the assessments. From a practical point of view, the assumption of a constant value for L leads to only small errors, so it is recommended for engineering design purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different options that rely on fracture mechanics are currently used in engineering during the design and assessment of components. One of the most important aspects is the time taken for a crack to extend to its critical size. If this time is known and it is sufficiently large, a design concept based on inspection intervals can be applied in a viable way, as is it the case of a railway axle component. To define inspection intervals that ensure the continuous and safe operation of a damage-tolerant railway axle, a reliable estimation of its fatigue crack growth life is required. Due to the uncertainties involved in the fatigue process, inspections must be devised not only considering the uncertainties in the performance of the inspection technique, but also based on a probabilistic lifespan prediction. From this premise, this paper presents a procedure for determination of inspection intervals that uses a conservative fatigue crack growth life estimation based on the lifespan probability distribution. A practical example to illustrate the reliability-based inspection planning methodology in a railway axle under random bending loading is given. The inspection intervals are further assessed in terms of overall probability of detecting cracks in successive inspections and in terms of probability of failure, considering the probability of detection curve of the non-destructive testing technique. The procedure developed provides recommendation for the definition of inspection intervals and associated inspection techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper gives a highlight about pressure vessel (PV) methods of design to initiate new engineers and new researchers to understand the basics and to have a summary about the knowhow of PV design. This understanding will contribute to enhance their knowledge in the selection of the appropriate method. There are several types of tanks distinguished by the operating pressure, temperature and the safety system to predict. The selection of one or the other of these tanks depends on environmental regulations, the geographic location and the used materials. The design theory of PVs is very detailed in various codes and standards API, such as ASME, CODAP ... as well as the standards of material selection such as EN 10025 or EN 10028. While designing a PV, we must design the fatigue of its material through the different methods and theories, we can find in the literature, and specific codes. In this work, a focus on the fatigue lifetime calculation through fracture mechanics theory and the different methods found in the ASME VIII DIV 2, the API 579-1 and EN 13445-3, Annex B, will be detailed by giving a comparison between these methods. In many articles in the literature the uniaxial fatigue has been very detailed. Meanwhile, the multiaxial effect has not been considered as it must be. In this paper we will lead a discussion about the biaxial fatigue due to cyclic pressure in thick-walled PV. Besides, an overview of multiaxial fatigue in PVs is detailed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, fibre-reinforced composite materials are widely used in many fields, e.g. automotive and aerospace. Natural fibres such as flax and hemp provide good density specific mechanical properties. Additionally, the embodied production energy in natural fibres is much smaller than in synthetic ones. Within this paper the fracture mechanical behaviour of flax fibre-reinforced composites is discussed. Especially, this paper focuses on the determination and investigation of crack paths in compact tension specimens with three different fibre directions under a static as well as fatigue load. Differences and similarities in the obtained crack paths under different loading conditions are presented. Due to the pronounced orthotropic behaviour of those materials the crack path is not only governed by the stress state, but practically determined by the fibre direction and fibre volume fraction. Therefore, the well-known stress intensity factor solutions for the standard specimens are not applicable. It is necessary to carry out extensive numerical simulations to evaluate the stress intensity factor evolution along the growing crack in order to be able to determine fatigue crack growth rate curves. Those numerical crack growth simulations are performed with the three-dimensional crack simulation program ADAPCRACK3D to gain energy release rates and in addition stress intensity factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the use of models of fracture-plastic materials for reinforced concrete in numerical modelling of beams made from reinforced concrete. The purpose of the paper is to use of a model of concrete for modelling of a behaviour of reinforced concrete beams which have been tested at the University of Toronto within re-examination of classic concrete beam tests. The original tests were performed by Bresler- Scordelis. A stochastic modelling based on LHS (Latin Hypercube Sampling) has been performed for the reinforced concrete beam. An objective of the modelling is to evaluate the total bearing capacity of the reinforced concrete beams depending on distribution of input data. The beams from the studied set have longitudinal reinforcement only. The beams do not have any shear reinforcement. The software used for the fracture-plastic model of the reinforced concrete is the ATENA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modified disk shaped compact tension test is a configuration derived from standard compact tension test that is used for measuring fracture mechanical properties of primarily metallic materials. The compact tension configuration is commonly used for measurement fracture mechanical properties as e.g. fracture toughness, Young's modulus, work of fracture etc. The modified compact tension tests imply significant modifications of the specimen morphology in order to avoid premature failure. The modified compact tension test is not proper for quasi-brittle materials due to its complicated shape (steel-concrete interface), but it is easily extracted from drill core and we do not need large amount of material for obtaining fracture properties as we need for e.g. three- or four- point bend test. Since it is a new test method, a wide range of tests is needed to be done before it can be applied. In the paper the selected outputs of the experiments performed on normal and high strength concrete will be processed and the values of fracture mechanical parameters will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the fatigue test results including the cracks growth in the composite zirconium-steel subjected to oscillatory bending. Specimens of square cross-section without melted layer and with a melted layer were tested. In the specimens the net ratio of thickness of steel to zirconium layers was h1 : h2 = 2.5 : 1. It was observed that a higher fraction of the intermetallic inclusions near the interface increase the fatigue life. Two different interaction mechanisms between a crack and interface were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper describes in detail and gives example of the probabilistic assessment of a steel structural element subject to fatigue load, particular attention being paid to cracks from the edge and those from surface. Fatigue crack damage depends on a number of stress range cycles. Three sizes are important for the characteristics of the propagation of fatigue cracks - the initial size, detectable size and acceptable size. The theoretical model of fatigue crack progression in paper is based on a linear fracture mechanics. When determining the required degree of reliability, it is possible to specify the time of the first inspection of the construction which will focus on the fatigue damage. Using a conditional probability, times for subsequent inspections can be determined. For probabilistic calculation of fatigue crack progression was used the original and new probabilistic methods - the Direct Optimized Probabilistic Calculation ("DOProC"), which is based on optimized numerical integration. The algorithm of the probabilistic calculation was applied in the FCProbCalc code ("Fatigue Crack Probabilistic Calculation"), using which is possible to carry out the probabilistic modelling of propagation of fatigue cracks in a user friendly environment very effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fracture mechanical properties of silicate based materials are determined from various fracture mechanicals tests, e.g. three- or four- point bending test, wedge splitting test, modified compact tension test etc. For evaluation of the parameters, knowledge about the calibration and compliance functions is required. Therefore, in this paper, the compliance and calibration curves for a novel test geometry based on combination of the wedge splitting test and three-point bending test are introduced. These selected variants exhibit significantly various stress state conditions at the crack tip, or, more generally, in the whole specimen ligament. The calibration and compliance curves are compared and used for evaluation of the data from pilot experimental measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses previously reported work, which uses digital image correlation to measure fatigue crack closure. As well as determining crack opening loads, the information on crack shape may be used to estimate the stress intensity factor, as well as other parameters in more complex models of crack tip fields. A number of specimens were subjected to single overload cycles, which produced a significant retardation in crack growth rate. The method previously applied to the analysis of constant amplitude loading is here used to analyse the single overload case. The stress intensity factor history is found to be very different in the two cases and the consequences of this observation for analysis of fatigue crack propagation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of reinforced concrete structures can be performed by means of experiments or numerical studies. The first way is usually quite expensive, so the second one sometimes is a good option to understand the physical behaviour of actual structures. Lumped damage mechanics appears as one of the latest nonlinear theories and presents itself as an interesting alternative to analyse the mechanical behaviour of reinforced concrete structures. The lumped damage mechanic applies concepts of the classic fracture and damage mechanics in plastic hinges for nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete structures. Therefore, this paper deals with a novel physical definition of the correction factor γ for cracking evolution that ensures the presented lumped damage model depicts accuracy when it is compared to experimental observations of reinforced concrete beams and arches. Based on such experiments, the numerical analysis showed that γ value has upper and lower thresholds, depending on the physical and geometric properties of the reinforced concrete element. Notwithstanding, for γ values inside of the proposed interval, there is a best value of γ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the plastic stress intensity factor (SIF) is used to study the coupling effects of the loading biaxiality, the material properties and the cracked body configuration in both the small- and large-scale yielding ranges. A finite element (FE) analysis is performed for a cracked Mode I plane strain plate subjected to biaxial tension/compression loading. The governing parameter of the elastic–plastic crack-tip stress field In-integral at the crack tip, the J-integral, and the plastic SIF, are calculated as a functions of the loading biaxiality and the applied stress levels. The different trend of the In-integral distributions as a function of the applied stresses with respect to the J-integral is demonstrated. The contrary character of the distributions of the plastic SIF and the J-integral as a function of the biaxial stress ratio is observed. Special emphasis is put on the behavior of the J-integral and the plastic SIF for the specified test specimen geometries under mixed mode loading. The coupling effects of the mixed mode fracture and the material properties on the Jintegral and the plastic SIF distributions for a set of the specimen configurations are stated. Comparative analysis of the values of the plastic SIF calculated for both small-scale and large-scale yielding in the test specimen configurations considered here is presented. A significant difference between the small- and the large-scale yielding plastic SIF in the full range of mixed modes is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a procedure to calculate stress intensity factors for imitation models of titanium alloys is proposed. Fatigue cracks are detected in a disk and blade “dovetail type” attachment in service. Based on the attachment dimensions and taking into account the biaxial loading conditions of the rotating compressor disk, two imitation model geometries of gas turbine engine compressor disks are developed. To accurately verify the biaxial loading conditions, the first imitation model of constant thickness is used. In order to completely reproduce the geometry of the compressor disk and the conditions of mixed mode crack growth, the second imitation model with a reduced cross section is proposed. Fatigue crack growth experiments of the imitation models are carried out at room temperature on a biaxial testing machine. Two different stress ratio values are applied several times to each imitation model in order to establish the experimental positions of the crack fronts. The elastic and plastic stress intensity factors used to represent the experimental results are computed using full-size 3D finite element analyses of the imitation models with surface quarter elliptical and throughthickness cracks. The use of the plastic stress intensity factor as a unified parameter for assessing the fracture resistance of materials and structures is supported. The advantages of using the computational and experimental results of imitation model II for verification and development of modern crack growth rates and lifetime prediction models are stated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To design and evaluate the analytical crack propagation of a specimen under dynamic load, measurement of dynamic fracture parameters is necessary. However, analytical methods have significant complexity, and experimental methods are also time-consuming that require high precision and considerable funding. Therefore, numerical methods can be used to solve these problems. The Extended Finite Element Method (X-FEM) as a powerful and efficient tool can be used for this purpose. In this paper, X-FEM code in ABAQUS software was used in order to simulate crack growth in a semi-circular specimen with pre-existed crack and also intact specimen to determine dynamic stress intensity factor (DSIF) using displacement extrapolation method. To verify the numerical modeling output, the curve of crack surface opening displacement (CSOD) in X-FEM model has been compared with the experimental curve. Moreover, concrete damage plastic (CDP) model was used to validate X-FEM simulation results. The results show that the DSIF for a cracked sample under a maximum dynamic load 3000 N is equal to 0.5 MPa √m . Comparison between the CDP and X-FEM results showed that in both approaches, the same area for crack propagation was also determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of experimental fatigue tests performed on welded S355 specimens subjected to combined bending and torsion loading. In order to analyse how the fillet joints' shape and the load ratio affect the crack growth, we selected two kinds of fillet shape: concave and convex, and two load ratios, namely R = -1, 0. Rectangular specimens with stress concentrators in the form of the external two-sided blunt notches and fillet welded joint were tested. The test results were compared to experiments conducted on solid specimens without welds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly deformable materials (elastomers, gels, biological tissues, etc.) are ubiquitous in nature as well as in technology. The understanding of their flaw sensitivity is crucial to ensure a desired safety level. Fracture failure in soft materials usually occurs after the development of an uncommon crack path because of the non-classical near-tip stress field and the viscous effects. In a neo-Hookean material, the true opening stress singularity along the crack path (evaluated normal to the crack line) is of the order r -2, while it is of the order s s1/2 ahead of the crack tip, promoting the appearance of a crack tip splitting leading to a tortuous crack. In the present paper, experimental tests concerning the fracture behavior of highly deformable thin sheets under tension are discussed, and the observed crack paths are interpreted according to the crack tip stress field arising for large deformations. The study reveals that higher strain rates facilitate the development of a simple Mode I crack path, while lower strain rates induce a mixed Mode in the first crack propagation stage, leading to the formation of new crack tips. The above described behavior seems to not be affected by the initial crack size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The delamination fracture in four-point bending beams made of adhesively bonded lengthwise vertical layers is studied assuming that each layer exhibits smooth material inhomogeneity along the width and length of the layer. The study aims at determining the strain energy release rate with applying the Ramberg-Osgood equation for modeling the non-linear mechanical behavior of the material in each layer. Cosine laws are used to describe the continuous variation of the modulus of elasticity in width and length directions of layers. Beams made of an arbitrary number of vertical layers which have individual widths and material properties are considered. Besides, the delamination crack is located arbitrary between layers, i.e. the two crack arms have different widths. The J-integral is applied for verification of the non-linear solution to the strain energy release rate derived in the present paper. The solution is used to investigate the influence of material inhomogeneity in width and length directions of layers, the crack location along the beam width, the non-linear mechanical behavior of the material and the crack length on the delamination fracture behavior. The approach developed is expected to be useful in structural design of multilayered inhomogeneous beams with considering the delamination fracture behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work reviews some preliminary recent micromechanical tests aimed at the evaluation of the fracture toughness of silicon. Pre-cracked nano specimens and alternatively notched nano specimens combined with the theory of critical distances (TCD) are compared. The results show that the fracture toughness of silicon is approximately 1 MPa·m0.5, regardless of the procedure involved (i.e., pre-cracked samples or TCD). This value agrees with macro counterpart, i.e., 0.75-1.08 MPa·m0.5, and therefore the KIC is independent of the size and crystal orientation. However, by employing the TCD, the accurate control of the final crack tip which is currently very challenging, is overcome by using notched specimens. Additionally, the results give information about the crack propagation at the nanoscale. It seems that although the specimen axis deviates from the (011), the crack propagates along the cleavage plane (011) and the process develops very fast by breaking covalent bond at the crack tip. A brief discussion on beyond the breakdown of continuum theory and challenges toward nanometer scale fracture mechanics concludes the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper is devoted to an experimental study on the fracture behaviour of natural stones, commonly used as elements for building cladding, under both monotonic and cyclic loading, with particular emphasis to white Carrara marble. The effect of progressive damage produced by inservice thermal fluctuations can be investigated through the application of appropriate cyclic mechanical loads. In the experimental tests conducted, some static mechanical properties of marble are characterized by means of three-point bending tests on edge-cracked prismatic specimens for the determination of Young's modulus, tensile strength and fracture energy. Moreover, cyclic three-point bending tests are conducted to determine the propagation rate of nominally Mode-I fatigue cracks. Finally, the fatigue behaviour of the marble is studied through a cohesive crack model, in which the direct tensile strength of the material is determined by a Brazilian test, and the behaviour is calibrated by means of a suitable FE model. The effect of crack path on the fracture resistance of marble is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present paper is to clarify the effect of defect length in depth direction on rolling contact fatigue (RCF) crack propagation in high strength steel. RCF test and synchrotron radiation micro computed tomography (SR micro CT) imaging were conducted. In the case of the defect with the 15 m diameter, flaking life decreased with increasing defect length. In a comparison of the CT image and the SEM view, the shapes of defects and the locations of the horizontal cracks were almost the same respectively. The mechanism of RCF crack propagation was discussed by finite element (FE) analysis. Defects led to higher tensile residual stress than that without defects in the region where the defect exists. The shear stress range at 0.1 mm in depth on the middle line of the defect and the range of mode II stress intensity factor at the bottom of a vertical crack increased with increasing defect length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modified Carpinteri-Spagnoli (C-S) criterion is a multiaxial high-cycle fatigue criterion based on the critical plane approach. According to such a criterion, the orientation of the critical plane is linked to both the averaged directions of the principal stress axes and the fatigue properties of the material. The latter dependence is taken into account through a rotational angle, δ. Then, the multiaxial fatigue strength estimation is performed by computing an equivalent stress amplitude on the critical plane. In the present paper, some modifications of the original δ expression are implemented in the modified C-S criterion. More precisely, such modified expressions of δ depend on the ratio between the fatigue limit under fully reversed shear stress and that under fully reversed normal stress (in accordance with the original expression), and can be employed for metals ranging from mild to very hard fatigue behaviour. Some experimental data available in the literature are compared with the theoretical results in order to verify if the modified expressions are able to improve the fatigue strength estimation capability of the modified C-S criterion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper aims to assess the effect of freeze/thaw cycles on fracture behaviour of a natural stone: the red Verona marble. A wide variety of specimen types and methods to determine Mode I fracture toughness of natural stones are available in the literature and, in this context, the model originally proposed for plain concrete, i.e. the Two-Parameter Model (TPM), is adopted. Such a method is able to take into account the slow nonlinear crack growth occurring before the peak load, typical of quasi-brittle materials, with the advantage of easy specimen preparation and simple test configuration. In the present paper, the atmospheric ageing is simulated by means of thermal pre-treatments consisting of freeze/thaw cycles. Experimental tests are carried out using three-point bending Single-Edge Notched (SEN) specimens, according to the TPM procedure. The effects of thermal treatment on both mechanical and fracture parameters are examined in terms of elastic modulus and fracture toughness, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, an increasing number of oil and gas transmission pipes are constructed with high-strength low alloy steels (HSLA; nonetheless, many of these pipelines suffer from different types of hydrogen damage, including hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC). Many studies are being done to investigate the role of key metallurgical and processing factors to limit the negative effects of HIC in HSLA steel pipes. The thermomechanical control process (TMCP) is a microstructural control technique that avoids the conventional heat treatment after hot rolling and attempts to obtain the desired mechanical properties during the forming process. Recent research has shown that TMCP provides high HIC resistance without adding high amounts of alloying elements or applying expensive heat treatments. However, there is an incipient knowledge on predicting HIC behavior, both in susceptibility and kinetics, in HSLA steel pipe when it is exposed to hydrogen charging service conditions. This paper presents a review of the current developments of HSLA and TMCP of pipeline steels, as well as the phenomenological and empirical models proposed to predict the kinetics of HIC as a function of key parameters such as heat treatments and microstructures, especially nature and spatial distribution of non-metallic inclusions and the hydrogen permeation rate and the mechanical and fracture mechanics properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning from history is, by popular account, something at which human beings are not particularly good; George Bernard Shaw having stated that "we learn from history that we learn nothing from history", while the Spanish philosopher George Santayana apparently claimed that "those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it". This is certainly true in the field of structural integrity where, some 150 years after the first full-scale structural fatigue tests were carried out, fracture-safe and fatigue-reliable design can be achieved to a statistical probability in complex and sophisticated structures, such as aircraft. Alongside this, however, failures of large, and expensive, welded structures can still occur from such simple causes as inadequate communication, and lack of awareness of the importance of the design of structural details to the overall fatigue life and failure. This paper considers several examples of such difficulties in the context of the development of fatigue design philosophies and the success or otherwise of learning from the history of failures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cracks in cover of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete structures significantly influence the ingress of deleterious species causing decrease in durability of these structures. The paper is focused on the effect of fracture process on two selected physical parameters of concrete -- the electrical resistivity and the ultrasonic pulse passing time -- which might be employed as the quality indicator of concrete cover within (nondestructive) procedure(s) of assessment of the structural durability. The concrete electrical resistivity and ultrasonic passing time were investigated here with respect to two variants of treatment of the test specimens' surface (the pre-dried surface and the wet surface). Test configuration of three-point bending of notched beam was utilized to control the crack propagation; the fracture process passed through several loading--unloading sequences between which the electrical resistivity and ultrasonic passing time readings over the fractured region were performed. Equivalent elastic crack model was used for estimation of the fracture advance (described via the effective crack length) at the loading stages corresponding to the resistivity and ultrasonic measurements. Relationships between changes of both the concrete resistivity and ultrasonic pulse passing time and the effective crack length is determined and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peeling is a physical mechanics involved in the detachment of many natural and industrial applications. In this paper, we investigate the double peeling of an endless elastic pre-stressed tape adhering to a flat smooth rigid substrate. Solutions are given in closed form and their stability is discussed. Critical pull-off force needed to detachment is shown to be higher for pre-stressed tapes. However, when a pre-stress is high, tapes behave differently and may spontaneously detach from the rigid substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, the well-known wedge splitting test (WST) is applied on specimens with different geometries (S = 150, 200, 300 mm) and variants of the specimens' configurations. K-calibration (B1) and T-stress (B2) calibration curves for such specimens are introduced. The objective was to compare and discuss the values of the calibration curves dependent on the specimen's geometries and on three different specimens' configurations: homogenous specimen; specimen with marble plates forming the groove for load application and specimen with glued marble plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In oil drilling, one of the most complicated problems is borehole stability of shale. Based on the theory of continuum damage mechanics, a modified Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion according to plastic damage evolution and the seepage-stress coupling is established. Meanwhile, the damage evolution equation which is based on equivalent plastic strain and the permeability evolution equation of shale are proposed in this paper. The physical model of borehole rock for a well in China western oilfield is set up to analyze the distribution of damage, permeability, stress, plastic strain and displacement. In the calculation process, the influence of rock damage to elastic modulus, cohesion and permeability is involved by writing a subroutine for ABAQUS. The results show that the rock damage evolution has a significant effect to the plastic strain and stress in plastic zone. Different drilling fluid density will produce different damage in its value, range and type. This study improves the theory of mechanical mechanism of borehole collapse and fracture, and provides a reference for the further research of seepage-stress-chemical-damage coupling of wall rock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the behaviour of fatigue damage extraction in fatigue strain histories of automotive components using the probabilistic approach. This is a consideration for the evaluation of fatigue damage extraction in automotive components under service loading that is vital in a reliability analysis. For the purpose of research work, two strain signals data are collected from a car coil spring during a road test. The fatigue strain signals are then extracted using the wavelet transform in order to extract the high amplitude segments that contribute to the fatigue damage. At this stage, the low amplitude segments are removed because of their minimal contribution to the fatigue damage. The fatigue damage based on all extracted segments is calculated using some significant strain-life models. Subsequently, the statistics-based Weibull distribution is applied to evaluate the fatigue damage extraction. It has been found that about 70% of the probability of failure occurs in the 1.0 x 10-5 to 1.0 x 10-4 damage range for both signals, while 90% of the probability of failure occurs in the 1.0 x 10-4 to 1.0 x 10-3 damage range. Lastly, it is suggested that the fatigue damage can be determined by the Weibull distribution analysis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the effects of shear deformation and shear forces on the mode II contribution to the energy release rate in delaminated beams. A critical review of the relevant literature is presented, starting from the end-notched flexure test as the prototype of delaminated laminates subjected to pure mode II fracture. Several models of the literature are recalled from simple beam theory to more refined models. The role of first-order shear deformation in line with the Timoshenko beam theory is investigated as distinct from the local crack-tip deformation related to the shear modulus of the material. Then, attention is moved on to a general delaminated beam with an arbitrarily located through-the-width delamination, subjected to mixedmode fracture. Several fracture mode partition methods of the literature are reviewed with specific attention on the effects of shear on the mode II contribution to the energy release rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of brittle fracture occurs too often in various branches of engineering being the reason of unexpected termination of anticipated service lives of an engineering objects. This leads to unfortunate catastrophic structural failures resulting in loss of lives and in excessive costs. The theory of fracture mechanics enables the analysis of brittle and fatigue fracture and helps to prevent the occurrence of brittle failure. This field has engaged researchers from various fields of engineering from the early days until today. As its own scientific discipline, it is now less than fifty years old and encourages scientists and engineers to speak the same language when dealing with the design and manufacturing of the classical machinery as well as various intricate devices of nanometer scale, or even smaller, reasoning significant scale effects that arise. Attempting to strike a common ground will connect various physical events/phenomena as a natural result of curiosity arising in course of joint research activities. The interpretation provided by the strain energy density to face different problems and applications is presented in this paper considering some recent outcomes at different scale levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Fracture & Structural Integrity / Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale is the property of Gruppo Italiano Frattura and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The general regularities of damage healing during the annealing after cold deformation of metal materials are presented in this paper. In categories of damage mechanics the kinetic equations of damage healing during recovery and recrystallization are formulated. Diagrams of damage healing for some metal alloys are presented. The example of use of investigation results for optimization of industrial technology of pipes drawing is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a brief review of the research activities on fracture mechanics of nickel-titanium based shape memory alloys carried out at University of Calabria. In fact, this class of metallic alloys show a unusual fracture response due to the reversible stress-induced and thermally phase transition mechanisms occurring in the crack tip region as a consequence of the highly localized stresses. The paper illustrates the main results concerning numerical, analytical and experimental research activities carried out by using commercial NiTi based pseudoelastic alloys. Furthermore, the effect of several thermo-mechanical loading conditions on the fracture properties of NiTi alloys are illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Steel-concrete joints are often made by welded shear studs. However, this connection reduces the fatigue strength, especially in situations where locally concentrated loads occur with a large number of load cycles e.g. in bridge decks. In this paper the shear bond strength between steel and ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC) without welded mechanical shear connectors is evaluated through push-out tests and a generalized fracture mechanics approach based on analytical and finite element analyses. The connection is achieved by an epoxy adhesive layer gritted with granules. In the tests, specimens made with various manners of preparation of the epoxy interlayer are tested experimentally. Numerical-analytical 2D and 3D modelling of a steel-concrete connection is performed without and with the epoxy interlayer. The model of a bi-material notch with various geometrical and material properties is used to simulate various singular stress concentrators that can be responsible for failure initiation. Thus conditions of crack initiation can be predicted from knowledge of the standard mechanical and fracture-mechanics properties of particular materials. Results of the fracture-mechanics studies are compared with each other and with experimental results. On the basis of the comparison, the 2D simulation of the steel-concrete connection without the epoxy interlayer is shown to be suitable for the estimation of failure conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the attention is paid to investigation of the importance of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) in selected fine-grained cement-based composites for the global fracture behaviour. This is a region of cement paste around the aggregate particles which specific features could have significant impact on the final behaviour of cement composites with a crack tip nearby this interface under applied tension. The aim of this work is to show the basic interface microstructure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) done by MIRA3 TESCAN and to analyse the behaviour of such composite by numerical modelling. Numerical studies assume two different ITZ thicknesses taken from SEM analysis. A simplified cracked geometry (consisting of three phases - matrix, ITZ, and aggregate) is modelled by means of the finite element method with a crack terminating at the matrix-ITZ interface. ITZ's modulus of elasticity is taken from generalized self-consistent scheme. A few conclusions are discussed based on comparison of the average values of the opening stress ahead of the crack tip with their critical values. The analyses dealing with the effect of ITZ's properties on the stress distribution should contribute to better description of toughening mechanisms in silicate-based composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current European standards for design of timber structures, the issue of timber-to-timber joint type is addressed only to squared timber, which makes the pinpointing of the round timber bolted joints load carrying capacity near-unfeasible due to the insufficient support in the current standards. There have been made series of tests of round timber joints in different inclinations of the loading force and also the reference tests of squared timber joints to compare the behaviour of this type of joints. Mechanical behaviour of the round and the squared timber bolted joints was tested in the laboratory of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Ostrava. This paper presents results of static tests in tension at an angle of 0°, 90° and 60° to the grain of squared and round timber bolted joints. Load carrying capacity was determined according to the applicable standards and theories of fracture mechanics. The test results of laboratory tests were then compared with the results of theoretical calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of miniaturized specimen testing methods is a promising way to solve the problem of limited materials in RPV monitoring programs. The use of miniature specimens allows the evaluation of fracture toughness from other specimen materials used. In particular, the small-size compact tensile test specimen (0.16T CT) is promising for the determination of fracture toughness, as it can be produced from the standard size Charpy specimen that has already been tested. However, if we have only 0.16T CT test, we cannot investigate the dimensional response and also have only one restricted deformation state, which may pose problems in verifying geometry independence and determining local parameters for state-of-the-art analyses. It is therefore recommended to prepare at least two tests with two different restricted deformation specimens. Therefore, the testing of mini single edge notched bending (SENB) is also required and can be worked out from the Charpy specimens. The paper presents the determination of fracture toughness for these miniaturized specimens by modifying the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) simulation method using GTN parameters instead of energy release as the driving force. This allows the calculation of the J-integral to proceed in parallel with the crack propagation

This article discusses the numerical modeling of fracture processes in elastic-brittle bodies with statistically distributed subregions strength values. The authors propose a boundary value problem formulation and a solution algorithm using the finite element method. The study focuses on the distribution range and stress concentration influence on the fracture process. The results of numerical experiments show the significant influence of finite element properties distribution and stress concentration on the modeling results. The proposed approach considers the strength properties' statistical distribution and can be applied to the fracture modeling of inhomogeneous structures. The article also includes a list of references to various scientific articles related to the modeling and analysis of crack growth and failure behavior in different materials and structures. Additionally, the article titled "Ductile-brittle transition by varying structural size" explores the relationship between structural size and the transition from ductile to brittle behavior in materials. The authors conducted experiments and analyzed the fracture mechanics of different materials to understand how changes in size affect their mechanical properties. The findings suggest that smaller structures tend to exhibit more brittle behavior, while larger structures are more ductile. This research provides valuable insights into the behavior of materials under different conditions and can be useful for engineers and researchers studying fracture mechanics. [Extracted from the article]

Shrinkage effects on short-term behavior of reinforced concrete elements are often neglected both in design code provisions and in numerical simulations. However, it is known that their influence on serviceability performance can be significant, especially in case of lightly-reinforced beams. As a matter of fact, the restraint provided by the reinforcement on concrete determines a reduction of the cracking load of the structural element, as well as an increase of its deflection. This paper deals with the modeling of early-age shrinkage effects in the field of smeared crack approaches. To this aim, an existing non-linear constitutive relation for cracked reinforced concrete elements is extended herein to include early-age concrete shrinkage. Careful verifications of the model are carried out by comparing numerical results with significant experimental data reported in technical literature, providing a good agreement both in terms of global and local behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For basic observations or for industrial applications it is of interest to use flat specimens at very high frequency in the gigacycle regime. In this work, thin flat sheet, with 1.2 mm thickness of a complex phase ferrite-martensitic steels were considered for carrying out fatigue tests at high frequency (20 kHz) up to the gigacycle regime (>109 cycles). The crack initiation tests were carried out with water cooling, while the crack growth test were carried out in laboratory air at room temperature. All the tests were carried out under loading ratio R=-1. To do that, special designs of specimens were made and computed using FEM for defining the stress amplitude for endurance tests. Special attachments for specimens to the ultrasonic system's horn were enhanced. A particular FEM computing of the stress intensity range on crack growth specimens was carried out for determining the specimen dimensions and an equation that defines the stress intensity range as a function of the harmonic displacement amplitude, dynamic Young's modulus, material density and crack length. Detailed procedures and fatigue results are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents results of experimental examinations of stress concentration influence to fatigue life of butt welded joints with K-groove, produced from the most frequently used structural steel S355J2+N. One group of experiments comprised examinations carried out on the K-groove specimens with stress concentrators of edged notch type. Specimens with short cracks (limited length of initial crack), defined on the basis of the experience from fracture mechanics by the three points bending examinations, have been examined according to standard for the determination of S-N curve, and aimed to determine fatigue strengths for different lengths of initial crack and Relationship between fatigue strength and crack length. Other group of experiments comprised examinations of specimens with edge notch, prepared in accordance with ASTM E 399 for three points bending, in order to establish regularity between crack growth and range of exerted stress intensity factor aimed to determine resistance of welded joint to initial crack growth, namely fatigue threshold (ΔKth). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From experimental and theoretical investigations it is known that cracks are sensitive to geometry, e.g., to the inclination angle to the load. A small deviation of a crack from the normal direction to a tensile load causes mixed mode conditions near the crack tip which lead to deviation of the crack from its initial propagation direction. Besides, the presence of other cracks, inhomogeneities, surfaces and their interaction causes additional deformations and stresses which also have influence on the initiation of the crack propagation and on the direction of this propagation. The aim of this paper is to show the effects of the interaction of edge cracks on further crack formation. The main fracture characteristics, such as, stress intensity factors, fracture angles and critical loads are provided in this study. A series of illustrative examples is presented for different geometries of arbitrarily inclined edge cracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Looking at the long-time behaviour of a dam, it is necessary to assume that the water can penetrate a possible crack washing away some components of the concrete. This type of corrosion reduces the tensile strength and fracture energy of the concrete compared to the same parameters measured during a short-time laboratory test. This phenomenon causes the so called sub-critical crack propagation. That is the reason why the International Commission of Large Dams recommends to neglect the tensile strength of the joint between the dam and the foundation, which is the weakest point of a gravity dam. In these conditions a shear displacement discontinuity starts growing in a point, called Fictitious Crack Tip (shortened FCT), which is still subjected to a compression stress. In order to manage this problem, in this paper the cohesive crack model is re-formulated with the focus on the shear stress component. In this context, the classical Newton-Raphson method fails to converge to an equilibrium state. Therefore the approach used is based on two stages: (a) a global one in which the FCT is moved ahead of one increment; (b) a local one in which the non-linear conditions occurring in the Fracture Process Zone are taken into account. This two-stage approach, which is known in the literature as a Large Time Increment method, is able to model three different mechanical regimes occurring during the crack propagation between a dam and the foundation rock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]