Author(s)

A.V. Dyskin & R. Freij-Ayoub

Abstract

Computer modelling of time-dependent localised crack accumulation A.V. Dyskin, R. Freij-Ayoub Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Western Australia, W.A. 6009, Australia ABSTRACT The problem is considered of localised accumulation of 2-D interacting inclined cracks along a predetermined line. Each crack is modelled by a combination of force dipoles that produce the same remote elastic stress disturbance as the crack; the magnitudes of these dipoles being proportional to the total stress produced at the place of the crack by the external load and other cracks. The sensitivity analysis conducted for periodic crack arrays shows that when the cracks are perpendicular to the line of location, the assumption of periodicity of the solution is not valid starting with the spacing 5=1.57a, where 2a is the crack length. Crack accumulation with time is modelled assuming that the local stresses produced by the external load and the already accumulated cracks can initiate

Keywords