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Three-Dimensional Elastic-Plastic Finite Element Analysis Of Fatique Crack Growth And Closure, Rahmatollah G. Chermahini

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop a three-dimensional, elastic-plastic, finite element analysis to investigate crack extension and closure under cyclic loading. The initial study concentrated on the behavior of a straight through crack in a finite-thickness plate subjected to tensile loading (middle-crack tension specimen). The finite element model was composed of 8-noded (linear-strain) isoparametric elements. In the analysis, the material was assumed to be elastic-perfectly plastic. Zienkiewicz's "initial-stress" method, von Mises' yield criterion, and Drucker's normality condition, under small-strain assumptions, were used to account for plasticity. The three-dimensional analysis is capable of extending the crack and changing boundary …