Fatigue multi-cracks growths in plates using J-integral approach with a developed home FEM software

In this paper multiple fatigue cracks propagation are simulated in two-dimensional plates. Since remeshing the cracked bodies in each increment of crack extension is a time-consuming and complicated procedure, numerical simulation of mixed-mode crack propagation with FEM is a difficulty. For this purpose, a FEM software is programmed and mesh refinement in each increment of crack is performed by Delaunay Refinement Algorithm. Using different refinement methods, complex boundaries such as multiple cracks and discontinuities which are closed together are easily refined by this algorithm. Crack propagation path is predicted using domain form of J-integral. Modified tensile stress (MTS) criterion is used to predict the crack propagation path in each increment. Different numerical examples illustrate the validation and reliability of present software. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.