Weight functions and stress intensity factors for two unequal-length collinear cracks in an infinite sheet. (15th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Z.X.; Xu, W.; Yu, Y.; Wu, X.R.
• Is Part Of: Engineering fracture mechanics. Volume 209(2019)
• Page Start: 173
• Page End: 186
• Publication Date: 2019-03-15
• Subjects: Collinear cracks -- Weight function method -- Stress intensity factor -- Multiple site damage; Fracture mechanics -- Periodicals; Rupture, Mécanique de la -- Périodiques; Fracture mechanics; Periodicals; 620.112605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2019.01.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-7944

Abstract

Highlights: Highly accurate weight functions for two collinear cracks are presented. Highly accurate SIFs and CODs can be obtained by using the weight functions. The weight functions is efficient for the analysis of structure with multiple site damage. Abstract: The configuration of two unequal-length collinear cracks is common in aircraft structures containing multiple site damage. In this paper, the weight functions for this crack configuration are derived from the exact crack opening displacements under remote tension, and verified by reducing to the existing exact weight functions of two equal-length collinear cracks and by good agreement with finite element analysis. These weight functions are used to calculate the stress intensity factors and crack opening displacements for different load cases. The results agree very well with those from literature and finite element analysis. The weight functions for two unequal-length cracks provide a highly efficient and accurate tool for damage tolerance analysis of structure with multiple site damage.