PSI - Issue 38

Paul Catalin Ilie et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 38 (2022) 271–282 P.C. Ilie et al./ Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2021) 000 – 000

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5

= +∑ ; = +∑

=1 ℎ = (∆ ( ) ) =1 ; ℎ = (∆ ( ) ) = ∑

(5)

2.2. 3D Finite Element Model SimModeler Crack was used to build a three-dimensional (3D) FE model of the plate coupon. Crack definition, insertion, meshing finite element pre-processing and post-processing, are performed with the same software application. Fatigue crack growth simulations were conducted on all configurations using a sequential crack growth approach. Three crack configurations were separately inserted in the model and meshed with a variety of elements along the crack front to satisfy element compatibility. Boundary conditions were applied to constrain the model then, ANSYS is used as a solver. Post-processing is performed through SimModeler by using the displacement correlation technique [16] to calculate stress intensity factors and, maximum tangential stress criteria [18] to solve for crack growth direction and an effective  K [19]. In SimModeler, the sequential 3D crack growth technique has five distinct steps [12]: i. Loading of CAD model ii. Analysis definition (boundary conditions, loading) iii. Crack insertion and local remeshing iv. Model solution and postprocessing for stress intensity factor calculation v. Incremental crack advancement and model update Figure 3 describes the SimModeler fatigue crack growth modelling process.