Numerical approach of determining the Stress Intensity Factor (KI) for a curved crack problem using Extended Isogeometric Analysis

Abstract

The fracture of cracked metal structures remains the main concern of engineers and researchers in various fields (automotive, oil, naval and aeronautics, etc.). They are always looking for ways and tools to locate and determine where and when the break occurs. In the industrial field there are many instruments and devices for measuring and locating defects in metal structures. Prevention tools, however, remain the only way to understand or limit the source of the problem. The most efficient of these tools is the computer which helps to model the fracture phenomenon of cracked metal structures. In this work, we will study the problem of cracking in pipes using new interpolations functions called NURBS (rational non-uniform B-Splines). These functions are added to the formulation of the X-FEM method to study a 2D problem in the linear elastic domain. The geometry studied is a half-tube with a semi-elliptic crack. It should be kept in mind that the main purpose of this study is to calculate the KI factor with good precision, which will be used in determining the rate of rupture.