Physics

Finite element method

Crack tip opening displacement

Mechanics

Structural engineering

Engineering

Composite material

Materials science

Programming language

Stress field

Computer science

Interpretation (philosophy)

Displacement field

Wake

Stress intensity factor

Fracture mechanics

Crack closure

Plasticity

Solid State Phenomena

This paper will outline the development of a model of crack tip fields that represents an innovation in incorporate the influences on crack tip displacement and stress fields of the zone of local plasticity that envelops a growing fatigue crack. The model uses assumed distributions of elastic stresses induced at the elastic-plastic boundary via wake contact and compatibility requirements, and defines a set of modified elastic stress intensity factors to characterise the crack stress or displacement tip field. In particular, recent work will be presented that compares the interpretation of plasticity-induced shielding obtained from trends observed in K R and K F with values of so-called ‘crack closure’ obtained via traditional strain gauge determination.

Interpretation of Plasticity Effects Using the CJP Crack Tip Field Model