Author(s)

E. Ballatore

Abstract

A model for evaluation of Mixed Mode crack propagation, considering the mechanical damage effects, has been previously defined by the Author. According to this model, a computer program, using a composite finite element named octagonal core with singular radial nodes, has been developed and tested comparing numerical simulations with experimental results. This paper describes an application of the numerical code in order to analyse the localisation of damage around the crack tip for Mode I and Mixed Mode problems. The results of numerical simulations show that the strain-rate has a greater influence on damage distribution than on crack extension. 1 Introduction The damage crack model can describe the fracture behaviour under loading and slow crack growth in Mixed Mode problems. The crack

Keywords