Analytical and Numerical Study of Fractured Isotropic and Composite Plates Under Mode-I Crack Extension

Abstract

This paper deals with the study of fracture characteristics through the analytical method and FE (Finite Element) based methods of isotropic and anisotropic plates containing a central crack under uniform in-plane tensile load. In this study, mode I (opening mode) of fracture is considered. A governing differential equation is established for the plates and complex theory in terms of complex variables is employed to find stress functions to satisfy the equilibrium equation, compatibility equation and boundary condition at infinite distance and crack surfaces. An analytical solution which follows the Cauchy-Riemann conditions in the form of is introduced to study the stress characteristics at different positions of the plate. The effect of the uniform in-plane tensile load on the near field and far-field crack tip stress characteristics for mode-I crack is studied. ABAQUS/Standard software is used to carry out numerical analysis. The FEM results are compared with those of the analytical results. The damage parameters for composite plate is also studied.