An Investigation of the Through-Thickness Stress Intensity Factor Using P- and H-Element Finite Element Analysis

Author

Christopher Castle, University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeFollow

Date of Award

December 2012

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Engineering

First Advisor

Rani El-Hajjar

Committee Members

Adeeb Rahman, Jian Zhao

Keywords

Fracture Mechanics, H-Method, P-Method, Stress Intensity Factor, Three-Dimensional, Through-Thickness

Abstract

The stress intensity factor is used in fracture mechanics to characterize the stress state near the crack tip in a structure under remotely applied loads. The magnitude of the stress intensity factor is dependent on geometry, the size and location of the crack, and the magnitude and distribution of loads on the structure. The scope of this thesis is the study of the through-thickness stress intensity factor using two different FE approaches. P- and h-element finite element methods are used to study the stress intensity factors. The accuracy of the predicted Mode I stress-intensify factor (K_I) is assessed using closed-form and planar analysis approaches. The research also contains studies on how plate thickness, element formulations, and materials affect K_I) , as well as possible relationships between the through-thickness K_I) and K_C) , the critical stress intensity factor.

Recommended Citation

Castle, Christopher, "An Investigation of the Through-Thickness Stress Intensity Factor Using P- and H-Element Finite Element Analysis" (2012). Theses and Dissertations. 49.
https://dc.uwm.edu/etd/49