Linear And Nonlinear Crack Growth Using Boundary Elements

This text provides a three dimensional Boundary Element Method for the analysis of fatigue crack problems in both linear and nonlinear fracture mechanics. Special attention is devoted to the use of singular and near-singular integrals.

Thermal and mechanical fatigue problems are encountered in many engineering components, such as pressure vessels, high temperature vessels, high temperature engines and interfaces in computer technology. This book describes the modelling of thermal fatigue using the Dual Boundary Element Method.

The Boundary Element Method (BEM) is now widely regarded as the most accurate numerical tool for the analysis of crack problems in linear elastic fracture mechanics. This crack growth software utilizes the BEM and and removes the task of remeshing as the crack propagates, which is one of the drawbacks of finite element software. Furthermore, it evaluates accurate stress intensity factors for which the BEM is renowned. The software uses the established criterion for crack propagation and evaluates residual strength as well as fatigue life calculations.

This text describes the dual boundary element method and its application to the analysis of fatigue crack-growth problems, in the context of the damage tolerance analysis with linear elastic fracture mechanics.

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.

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.