Meshless techniques in estimation of C* integral using elastic modulus reduction approach.

In this paper, an elastic modulus reduction (EMR) method is used for the estimation of the creep fracture mechanics parameter C*. The method makes use of uniaxial creep material properties and an appropriate definition of the limiting stresses ahead of the crack tip. Several standard test specimens are selected for analysis. First, the limit load calculations are performed for specimens using the EMR approach and then the C* integral is estimated using the reference stress method. For the limit load analysis of the cracked bodies, a special meshless code has been developed. The results obtained for both limit loads and C* integral are compared with the literature. It is shown that for the present geometries good agreement can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]