Explicit phantom paired shell element approach for crack branching and impact damage prediction of aluminum structures. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lua, Jim; Zhang, Tingting; Fang, Eugene; Song, Jeong-Hoon
• Is Part Of: International journal of impact engineering. Volume 87(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Ductile fracture -- The extended finite element method -- The phantom node elements -- Shell failure -- Abaqus; Impact -- Periodicals; Shock (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Impact -- Périodiques; Choc (Mécanique) -- Périodiques; Impact; Shock (Mechanics); Periodicals; 620.1125
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2015.07.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-743X

Abstract

Abstract: The main objective of this paper is to exploit an efficient and a simplified extended finite element shell formulation for prediction of ductile fracture and crack branching of thin-walled aluminum structures subjected to impact loading. In order to characterize an arbitrary crack initiation, propagation and brunching, a phantom paired shell element approach is further developed and implemented into Abaqus' explicit solver via its user defined element (VUEL). The energy dissipation due to failure is captured by a cohesive force along the crack interface when its accumulative plastic strain reaches a critical value. A numerical technique for modeling out-of-plane crack branching phenomena is also developed by activating the phantom nodes and re-grouping the element connectivity. Four numerical examples are used to demonstrate the applicability and accuracy of the extended shell element approach for ductile failure prediction of an indentation test, a multi-bay stiffened panel with crack branching, an explosively loaded plate, and a cylinder subjected to impulsive loading.