A Dual Boundary Element Formulation For Three Dimensional Fracture Analysis

This monograph is concerned with the study of Dual Boundary Element formulation using continuous elements in three dimensions and its application to the analysis of fracture problems and crack growth. Formulations for modelling geomechanical fracture are also presented.

The boundary element method (BEM) is a modern numerical technique, which has enjoyed increasing popularity over the last two decades, and is now an established alternative to traditional computational methods of engineering analysis. The main advantage of the BEM is its unique ability to provide a complete solution in terms of boundary values only, with substantial savings in modelling effort. This two-volume book set is designed to provide the readers with a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the boundary element method and its application to solving engineering problems. Each volume is a self-contained book including a substantial amount of material not previously covered by other text books on the subject. Volume 1 covers applications to heat transfer, acoustics, electrochemistry and fluid mechanics problems, while volume 2 concentrates on solids and structures, describing applications to elasticity, plasticity, elastodynamics, fracture mechanics and contact analysis. The early chapters are designed as a teaching text for final year undergraduate courses. Both volumes reflect the experience of the authors over a period of more than twenty years of boundary element research. This volume, Applications in Solids and Structures, provides a comprehensive presentation of the BEM from fundamentals to advanced engineering applications and encompasses: Elasticity for 2D, 3D and Plates and Shells Non-linear, Transient and Thermal Stress Analysis Crack Growth and Multi-body Contact Mechanics Sensitivity Analysis and Optimisation Analysis of Assembled Structures. An important feature of this book is the in-depth presentation of BEM formulations in all the above fields, including detailed discussions of the basic theory, numerical algorithms and where possible simple examples are included, as well as test results for practical engineering applications of the method. Although most of the methods presented are the latest developments in the field, the author has included some simple techniques, which are helpful in understanding the computer implementation of BEM. Another notable feature is the comprehensive presentation of a new generation of boundary elements known as the Dual Boundary Element Method. Written by an internationally recognised authority in the field, this is essential reading for postgraduates, researchers and practitioners in Aerospace, Mechanical and Civil Engineering and Applied Mathematics.

The Boundary Integral Equation (BIE) method has occupied me to various degrees for the past twenty-two years. The attraction of BIE analysis has been its unique combination of mathematics and practical application. The EIE method is unforgiving in its requirement for mathe matical care and its requirement for diligence in creating effective numerical algorithms. The EIE method has the ability to provide critical inSight into the mathematics that underlie one of the most powerful and useful modeling approximations ever devised--elasticity. The method has even revealed important new insights into the nature of crack tip plastic strain distributions. I believe that EIE modeling of physical problems is one of the remaining opportunities for challenging and fruitful research by those willing to apply sound mathematical discipline coupled with phys ical insight and a desire to relate the two in new ways. The monograph that follows is the summation of many of the successes of that twenty-two years, supported by the ideas and synergisms that come from working with individuals who share a common interest in engineering mathematics and their application. The focus of the monograph is on the application of EIE modeling to one of the most important of the solid mechanics disciplines--fracture mechanics. The monograph is not a trea tise on fracture mechanics, as there are many others who are far more qualified than I to expound on that topic.

Mechanical responses of solid materials are governed by their material properties. The solutions for estimating and predicting the mechanical responses are extremely difficult, in particular for non-homogeneous materials. Among these, there is a special type of materials whose properties are variable only along one direction, defined as graded materials or functionally graded materials (FGMs). Examples are plant stems and bones. Artificial graded materials are widely used in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, biological engineering, and electronic engineering. This work covers and develops boundary element methods (BEM) to investigate the properties of realistic graded materials.It is a must have for practitioners and researchers in materials science, both academic and in industry. Covers analysis of properties of graded materials. Presents solutions based methods for analysis of fracture mechanics. Presents two types of boundary element methods for layered isotropic materials and transversely isotropic materials. Written by two authors with extensive international experience in academic and private research and engineering.

A description of the formulation and implementation of the dual boundary element method (DBEM) as applied to 3-D fracture mechanics in thermoelasticity. J-integral implementation and crack growth simulation are included. The work achieves the mixed-mode SIF through a decomposition technique and features methods that allow easy 3-D crack growth simulation under thermomechanical loads. It is designed to be used by postgraduate students and researchers in academia and industry.

The aim of this major reference work is to provide a first point of entry to the literature for the researchers in any field relating to structural integrity in the form of a definitive research/reference tool which links the various sub-disciplines that comprise the whole of structural integrity. Special emphasis will be given to the interaction between mechanics and materials and structural integrity applications. Because of the interdisciplinary and applied nature of the work, it will be of interest to mechanical engineers and materials scientists from both academic and industrial backgrounds including bioengineering, interface engineering and nanotechnology. The scope of this work encompasses, but is not restricted to: fracture mechanics, fatigue, creep, materials, dynamics, environmental degradation, numerical methods, failure mechanisms and damage mechanics, interfacial fracture and nano-technology, structural analysis, surface behaviour and heart valves. The structures under consideration include: pressure vessels and piping, off-shore structures, gas installations and pipelines, chemical plants, aircraft, railways, bridges, plates and shells, electronic circuits, interfaces, nanotechnology, artificial organs, biomaterial prostheses, cast structures, mining... and more. Case studies will form an integral part of the work.