Crack Initiation at Weak Stress Singularities – Finite Fracture Mechanics Approach

AbstractTo study crack initiation at weak stress singularities classical Fracture Mechanics approaches do not suffice. In this work weak singularities are discussed and the obstacles occurring in fracture analysis are outlined. The concept of Finite Fracture Mechanics and the use of coupled criteria is explained. A brief discussion of coupled criteria is given and relationships to other analysis methods are adressed. As an example crack initiation in adhesively bonded joints is analyzed. Two different failure models are outlined and it is shown that both agree well with experimental results