Introduction to Fracture

Mechanics

Harshal Patil
(13ME63R26)
Mechanical Systems Design
 Overview
Brittle & Ductile Fracture

Modes of Failure

Energy Release Rate & Crack Resistance

Crack Growth

Stress Intensity Factor

J-integral

Case Study

References
 Fracture Mechanics

Fracture mechanics is based on the implicit assumption that

there exists a crack in a work component

Fracture mechanics deals with the question is a known crack

likely to grow under a certain given loading condition
 Fracture Modes
Classification is based on the ability of a material to experience
plastic deformation

Ductile fracture
Accompanied by significant plastic deformation

Brittle fracture
Little or no plastic deformation
Sudden, catastrophic
Ductile Failure
 Brittle Failure

Transgranular Fracture Intergranular Fracture

Modes of Failure
How Potent Is The Crack??
 Griffifths Realisation

max = o
2a
o
2b

Crack in the body would not grow unless energy was released
to overcome the energy needs of forming two new surfaces

Surface energy is of the order of 1 J/m2

 Energy Release Rate
Energy release per unit increase in area during crack growth

LEFM (Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics)

Conservation of energy,
G A = Wext U

G=

G=

Two approaches are developed

Compliance Approach
Strain Energy
 Crack Resistance
Energy requirement for a crack to grow per unit area
extension

Sum of energy required for

Two new surfaces
Anelastic deformation

It characterizes the material behavior

It depends on the plastic zone size

Stable & Unstable Crack Growth

For a crack to grow &

become critical

1)

2)
R-curve For Brittle Materials

Negligible size of plastic

zone in the vicinity of
crack tip

No stable growth
if
 Stress Intensity Factor
There are two main variables

- Far Field Stress

a - Crack length

Irwin defined the new variable, K

KI = (a)1/2 Mode-I
KII = (a)1/2 Mode-II
KIII = (a)1/2 Mode-III

G=K2/E (For plane stress)

SIF for mode I problem

Where,
KI = (a)1/2
 J Integral
Concept of Energy Release Rate is not applicable to material
with large plastic zone at the vicinity of crack tip

EPFM (Elastic Plastic Fracture Mechanics)

Path Independence

G=J (For linear elastic materials only)

J=
Liberty Ships Failure:
 References
1.1 Kumar,P.(2009). Elements of Fracture Mechanics, Tata McGraw Hill, New
Delhi.

1.2 Anderson,T.L. (2004).Fracture Mechanics: Fundamentals and

Applications, CRC, Press-Book.

1.3 Broek,D.(1982). Elementary Engineering Fracture Mechanics, Martinus

Nijhoff Publishers, The Hague.