A comparative study of numerical solutions to non-linear discrete crack modelling of concrete beams involving sharp snap-back

Numerical problems are often encountered in modelling crack propagation in concrete beams using non-linear finite element (FE) analysis, especially when sharp snap-back behaviour in load-displacement relations occurs. This paper firstly identifies 16 arc-length control based numerical strategies based on extensive literature review. They are then used to carefully model the structural behaviour of a four-point single notched shear beam using discrete crack modelling approach in which cracks are represented by interface elements with bilinear softening constitutive laws. Based on extensive FE analyses, detailed comparisons of the merits and demerits of these numerical algorithms are then made. The results indicate that the effectiveness and efficiency of different algorithms may vary considerably from one to another, with the local arc-length based procedures in conjunction with tangential stiffness strategy and reversible unloading model being the most robust.     

混凝土结构的质量通病——裂缝

从材料、结构构造、施工工艺、地基变形、温湿度变形等方面论述了混凝土裂缝产生的原因 ,提出只有真正了解裂缝产生的原因 ,才能有针对性地采取有效措施 ,确保工程质量     

高层地下室底板混凝土施工的裂缝控制

以德益花园写字公寓楼地下室底板205m厚混凝土的施工工程为例，坚持预防为主的原则，采取了一系列温控技术措施，有效地防止或控制了温度裂缝(收缩裂缝)的产生，确保了混凝土的施工质量。     

简析Ⅲ类PHC管桩的成因及加固补强处理方法

本文主要通过Ⅲ类PHC管桩的形成分析,经过各方论证采用了合适的处理方法,取得了较好的效果。     

浅析露天栈桥改造

结合工程实例，论述了露天栈桥产生裂缝和腐蚀的原因，对栈桥结构进行了评价，提出了加固方案及加固施工中应注意的事项，经使用证明，加固效果良好。     

Threshold and growth mechanism of fatigue cracks under mode II and III loadings

ABSTRACT The fatigue crack growth behaviour of 0.47% carbon steel was studied under mode II and III loadings. Mode II fatigue crack growth tests were carried out using specially designed double cantilever (DC) type specimens in order to measure the mode II threshold stress intensity factor range, ΔK_IIth. The relationship ΔK_IIth > ΔK_Ith caused crack branching from mode II to I after a crack reached the mode II threshold. Torsion fatigue tests on circumferentially cracked specimens were carried out to study the mechanisms of both mode III crack growth and of the formation of the factory‐roof crack surface morphology. A change in microstructure occurred at a crack tip during crack growth in both mode II and mode III shear cracks. It is presumed that the crack growth mechanisms in mode II and in mode III are essentially the same. Detailed fractographic investigation showed that factory‐roofs were formed by crack branching into mode I. Crack branching started from small semi‐elliptical cracks nucleated by shear at the tip of the original circumferential crack.     

Damage mechanism in weldment of 2.25Cr-1Mo steel under creep-fatigue loading

The purpose of this study is to clarify damage process of “Type IV cracking” in weldment of a 2.25Cr-1Mo steel and to propose a micro damage prediction method. From continuous observation under a creep-fatigue test, it was found that spherical shape voids initiated and grew on grain boundaries in fine grain region and these voids grow continuously by changing their shape to crack-like. Both spherical and crack-like void growth rate equations were derived from the proposed void growth model. It was indicated that measured void growth rate under the creep-fatigue loading was well predicted by the growth rate equations.     

Aspects of rapid crack propagation in silicon

Fracture experiments with silicon specimens in recent years have shown the need for a new approach to the analysis of rapidly propagating cracks in single crystals. Behaviour and phenomena have been revealed that fracture in these materials is rather different from the fracture of both amorphous and polycrystalline materials. We show that continuum mechanics is insufficient for analyzing crack propagation in single crystals since it is unable to consider atomistic‐scale phenomena. Accordingly, we describe basic phenomena associated with rapid crack propagation in silicon : (i) anisotropic velocity‐dependent R‐curve behaviour, as a key phenomenon dictating atomistic scale behaviour, (ii) crack deflection from one cleavage plane to another as a mesoscopic scale phenomenon in single‐crystal fracture, (iii) the Rayleigh surface wave speed as the limiting crack tip velocity is re‐examined, (vi) the lowest crack velocity in brittle crystals is examined, and finally (v) the interaction between crack path and preferred cleavage planes in single crystals is depicted.     

Elastoplastic modelling of subsurface crack growth in rail/wheel contact problems

Propagation of small subsurface cracks subjected to shear under repeated rolling contact load is studied. An analytical crack model (Dugdale) with plastic strips at the two crack tips is employed. Compressive stresses promoting crack closure and friction between crack faces are considered. The triaxial stress state is used in the yield criterion. A damage criterion is suggested based on experimental LCF data. In a numerical study, critical crack lengths are found below which propagation of an existing crack should be effectively suppressed.     

Off-axis fatigue cracking behaviour in notched fibre metal laminates

The off‐axis fatigue cracking behaviour of notched fibre metal laminates under constant amplitude loading conditions was investigated experimentally and numerically. It was found that the off‐axis fatigue crack initiation life decreased as the off‐axis angles increased. This indicated that the off‐axis laminates raised the applied stress level in the aluminium (Al) layer and subsequently resulted in earlier cracking in the Al layer. The off‐axis fatigue crack initiation lives of notched fibre metal laminates were predicted using lamination theory and an energy‐based critical plane fatigue damage analysis from the literature. After a crack initiated in the Al layer, it was observed that the crack path angles of the off‐axis specimens were neither perpendicular to the fibre nor to the loading direction. A finite‐element model was established for predicting the crack path angles.