# fracture_mechanics_crack_growth¶

class reliability.PoF.fracture_mechanics_crack_growth(Kc, C, m, P, W, t, Kt=1.0, a_initial=1.0, D=None, a_final=None, crack_type='edge', print_results=True, show_plot=True)

This function uses the principles of fracture mechanics to find the number of cycles required to grow a crack from an initial length until a final length. The final length (a_final) may be specified, but if not specified then a_final will be set as the critical crack length (a_crit) which causes failure due to rapid fracture. This functions performs the same calculation using two methods: similified and iterative. The simplified method assumes that the geometry factor (f(g)), the stress (S_net), and the critical crack length (a_crit) are constant. THis method is the way most textbooks show these problems solved as they can be done in a few steps. The iterative method does not make the assumptions that the simplified method does and as a result, the parameters f(g), S_net and a_crit must be recalculated based on the current crack length at every cycle.

This function is applicable only to thin plates with an edge crack or a centre crack (which is to be specified using the parameter crack_type). You may also use this function for notched components by specifying the parameters Kt and D which are based on the geometry of the notch. For any notched components, this method assumes the notched component has a “shallow notch” where the notch depth (D) is much less than the plate width (W). The value of Kt for notched components may be found at https://www.efatigue.com/constantamplitude/stressconcentration/ In the case of notched components, the local stress concentration from the notch will often cause slower crack growth. In these cases, the crack length is calculated in two parts (stage 1 and stage 2) which can clearly be seen on the plot using the iterative method. The only geometry this function is designed for is unnotched and notched thin flat plates. No centre holes are allowed.

Inputs: Kc - fracture toughness Kt - stress concentration factor (default is 1 for no notch). D - depth of the notch (default is None for no notch). A notched specimen is assumed to be doubly-notched (equal notches on both sides) C - material constant (sometimes referred to as A) m - material constant (sometimes referred to as n). This value must not be 2. P - external load on the material (MPa) t - plate thickness (mm) W - plate width (mm) a_initial - initial crack length (mm) - default is 1 mm a_final - final crack length (mm) - default is None in which case a_final is assumed to be a_crit (length at failure). It is useful to be able to enter a_final in cases where there are multiple loading regimes over time. crack_type - must be either ‘edge’ or ‘center’. Default is ‘edge’. The geometry factor used for each of these in the simplified method is 1.12 for edge and 1.0 for center. The iterative method calculates these values exactly using a_initial and W (plate width). print_results - True/False. Default is True show_plot - True/False. Default is True. If True the Iterative method’s crack growth will be plotted.

Outputs: If print_results is True, all outputs will be printed with some description of the process. If show_plot is True, the crack growth plot will be shown for the iterative method. You may also access the following parameters from the calculated object: - Nf_stage_1_simplified - Nf_stage_2_simplified - Nf_total_simplified - final_crack_length_simplified - transition_length_simplified - Nf_stage_1_iterative - Nf_stage_2_iterative - Nf_total_iterative - final_crack_length_iterative - transition_length_iterative

Example usage: fracture_mechanics_crack_growth(Kc=66,C=6.91*10**-12,m=3,P=0.15,W=100,t=5,Kt=2.41,a_initial=1,D=10,crack_type=’edge’) fracture_mechanics_crack_growth(Kc=66,C=3.81*10**-12,m=3,P=0.103,W=100,t=5,crack_type=’center’)