Two-dimensional elastic-plastic cracked finite element for fracture applications

Abstract

In this paper a novel two-dimensional finite element with a single, non-propagating, open embedded edge crack is developed based on elastic-plastic fracture mechanics. The influence of crack on the local flexibility of the structure is accounted for by the reduction of the element stiffness as a function of the crack length, instead of physically modeling the crack within the element. The proposed element accounts the influence of crack tip plasticity, at the cracked cross-section. The components of the stiffness matrix for the proposed cracked element are derived based on the Castigliano’s first principle. The element is implemented as a user element (UEL) subroutine in ABAQUS. The proposed element can be applied in a wide range of fatigue and fracture applications in order to determine changes in static, dynamic, and stability characteristics of cracked structures.