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),
where I, II, and III correspond to mode I, mode II,
and mode III crack propagation modes,
respectively. From a finite element perspective,
VCCT determines the strain energy release rates
from the nodal forces and displacements; thus not
adding any complexity to the finite element
formulation. The VCCT has been performed using
the local coordinate system, based on the geometric
relationships among the nodes surrounding the
crack and the tip of the crack itself, to facilitate
separation of the different fracture models. Figure
11 from illustrates the scheme behind VCCT.
The basis behind VCCT is an interface element based on the modified crack closure integral
(MCCI). The nodes for this element are numbered in a manner such that nodes 3 and 4 are located
behind the crack, nodes 1 and 2 are located at the crack tip, and node 5 is ahead of the crack. In
order to determine the nodal forces at the tip of the crack, a stiff spring is essentially placed
between nodes 1 and 2. Nodes 3 - 5 do not contribute to the stiffness matrix used to calculate the
nodal forces, however, nodes 3 and 4 are used to determine information concerning the opening
of the crack behind its tip while node 5 carries information about the jump length in front of the
crack tip. All this information combined is used to calculate the strain energy release rates. For a
2-D model, the mode I and mode II strain energy release rates can be expressed as follows:
where
and
are the mode I and mode II strain energy release rates respectively,
and
are the nodal forces in the X and Y directions for nodes 1 and 2,
and
correspond to the X
and Y displacement respectively between nodes 3 and 4, a is the crack extension, and B is the
thickness of the model. The fracture criteria used to determine crack initiation and propagation
based on the computed strain energy release rates is
where represents the crack growth parameter. According to reference [9] the exponents and
are assumed to be 1. Once the crack growth parameter , the stiffness matrix associated with
Figure 11. Schematic for VCCT
24
DE-EE0001359
Advanced Composite Wind Turbine Blade Design Based on Durability & Damage Tolerance
the interface element is set equal to zero and crack initiation or propagation occurs. For
additional information concerning the numerical methods of VCCT, please see references.
VCCT can be used with GENOA/PFA providing some knowledge of the location for crack
initiation, and the path of crack propagation is provided. This information can be obtained
experimentally, through a preliminary GENOA/PFA, or based on user experience. Since VCCT
does not add any complexity to the finite element formulation, the need for extensive mesh
preparation is eliminated.
3.5 Discrete Cohesive Zone Modeling (DCZM)
An additional method to potentially access the crack propagation or delamination into the ply
drop coupon is known as Discrete Cohesive Zone Modeling (DCZM). DCZM, like VCCT, is also
a fracture mechanics based approach to study crack propagation. This particular method is noted
for its ability to simulate crack initiation and propagation even when various material
nonlinearities are present, where VCCT is mostly used when linear elastic materials are present.
DCZM essentially implements a discrete spring foundation at the process zone which is attached
to the interfacial node pairs of the surfaces to be separated. In other words, a non-linear spring
type interface element is placed between interfacial nodes to model the cohesive effects between
the surfaces to be separated or de-cohered. Figure 12a illustrates this concept.
As can be seen in Figure 12b,
DCZM uses a triangular cohesive
law for mixed mode failure analysis
in GENOA. The triangular form of
the cohesive law is dependent on the
corresponding cohesive strength and
stiffness. Cohesive strength is the
strength that causes the virtual
spring elements' stiffness to
decrease to a point where they begin
to simulate non-linear responses of
adhesives. The cohesive stiffness is
the initial stiffness of these spring
elements prior to reaching this non-
linear state. In Figure 12b,
correspond to the
tensile (Mode I fracture), shear
(Mode II fracture), and twisting
(Mode III fracture) cohesive
strengths respectively,
correspond to
the maximum crack tip separation
for a corresponding fracture mode,
and
correspond to
the crack tip separation at the associated cohesive strength for a corresponding fracture mode. For
a detailed explanation concerning the interface element, equations for the cohesive stiffness,
Figure 12a. DCZM Virtual Spring Elements
Figure 12b. DCZM Triangular Cohesive Law for Mixed Mode
Failure Analysis
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Advanced Composite Wind Turbine Blade Design Based on Durability & Damage Tolerance
25
cohesive strength, and the overall construction and implementation of the cohesive law for a 2-D
case please see reference.
Crack propagation is controlled through the sequential releasing of nodes along a user-defined
crack path. This takes place when the strain energy release rates, (
), exceed their
corresponding critical values, (