Calculation of the Energy Release Rate for Dynamic Crack Propagation (Kinking)

Abstract

In fact, if the load or geometry of the structure is asymmetric with respect to the crack axis, the fracture will occur in a mixed mode and the crack will not propagate in a straight line. Besides, the use of bifurcation criterion has shown to be necessary to determine the new propagation direction. However, for fast loading or when crack growth rate is important, the moment of inertia must be taken into account in the formula. Then, this is called dynamic crack growth. In virtue of which, a new model was developed in this paper to evaluate the energy release rate G in the case of dynamic loading. This model is based on the association of the special mixed finite element RMQ-7 and the virtual crack propagation technique. As for the performance of the model, it was validated by studying a cracked plate under dynamic load with different levels of velocity.