Fracture

Mechanics
 Chapter 5
The main Fracture parameters

CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY
Simple corrections to linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) are available when
moderate crack-tip yielding occurs. The size of the crack-tip-yielding zone can be
estimated by two methods: the Irwin approach, where the elastic stress analysis is
used to estimate the elastic-plastic boundary, and the strip-yield model.

THE IRWIN APPROACH

On the crack plane (θ = 0), the normal stress σyy in a linear elastic material is given by
Equation

we can assume that the boundary between elastic and plastic behavior occurs when the
stresses given by Equation (2.39) satisfy a yield criterion. For plane stress conditions,
yielding occurs when σyy = σYS,

solving for r gives a first-order estimate of the plastic zone size:

 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - THE IRWIN APPROACH

The simple analysis in the preceding paragraph is not strictly correct because it was
based on an elastic crack-tip solution. When yielding occurs, stresses must redistribute
in order to satisfy equilibrium. The cross-hatched region in Figure 2.29 represents
forces that would be present in an elastic material but cannot be carried in the elastic-
plastic material because the stress cannot exceed the yield. The plastic zone must
increase in size in order to accommodate these forces. A simple force balance leads to a
second-order estimate of the plastic zone size rp:

F=*A
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - THE IRWIN APPROACH

Referring to Figure 2.29, the material in the plastic zone carries less stress than it would
otherwise carry if the material remained elastic. Irwin [23] accounted for the softer
material in the plastic zone by defining an effective crack length that is slightly longer
than the actual crack size.
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - THE IRWIN APPROACH

The effective crack length is defined as the sum of the actual crack size and a plastic
zone correction:

where ry for plane stress is given by

In plane strain, yielding is suppressed by the triaxial stress state, and the Irwin plastic
zone correction is smaller by a factor of 3:
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - THE IRWIN APPROACH

 Basic method is elastic (LEFM)

 All cracks have a local plastic/damage zone

rr

 Let sc be the zone stress

Plastic-zone correction. The

effective crack length is (a + ry).
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - THE IRWIN APPROACH
The effective stress intensity is obtained by inserting aeff into the K expression for the
geometry of interest:

One interpretation of the Irwin plastic zone adjustment is that of an effective

compliance. At a given load P, the displacement for the plate with a plastic zone is
greater than that of the elastic plate; referring to Figure 2.30, Δ2 > Δ1. One can define
an effective compliance as follows:
Constant load
Plastic plate

Elastic plate
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - THE STRIP-YIELD MODEL

The strip-yield model, which is illustrated in Figure 2.31, was first proposed by
Dugdale [24] and Barenblatt [25]. They assumed a long, slender plastic zone at the
crack tip in a nonhardening material in plane stress. This model approximates elastic-
plastic behavior by superimposing two elastic solutions: a through crack under remote
tension and a through crack with closure stresses at the tip.
Since the stresses are finite in the strip-yield zone, there cannot be a stress
singularity at the crack tip. The plastic zone length ρ must be chosen such that the
stress intensity factors from the remote tension and closure stress cancel one
another.
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - THE STRIP-YIELD MODEL
Thus, the total stress intensity at each crack tip resulting from the closure stresses is
obtained by :

The stress intensity from the remote tensile stress, , must balance with
Kclosure. Therefore, the plastic zone size gives

One way to estimate the effective stress intensity with the strip-yield model is to set aeff
equal to (a + ρ):
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - COMPARISON OF PLASTIC ZONE CORRECTIONS

 Figure shows a comparison

between a pure LEFM analysis, the
Irwin correction for plane stress,
and the strip-yield correction on
stress intensity .

 Both the Irwin and strip-yield corrections

deviate from the LEFM theory at stresses
greater than 0.5σYS.
 The two plasticity corrections agree with
each other up to approximately 0.85σYS.
 The plastic zone shape predicted by the
strip-yield model bears little resemblance
to actual plastic zones in metals.
 Thus, although Dugdale originally
proposed the strip-yield model to account
for yielding in thin steel sheets, this model
is better suited to polymers
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - PLASTIC ZONE SHAPE
Consider the von Mises equation:

yielding occurs when σe = σYS, and the principal stresses can be computed from
the two-dimensional Mohr’s circle relationship:

for plane stress,

 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - PLASTIC ZONE SHAPE

for plane strain

 The corresponding equations for Modes II and III are plotted in Figure 2.34(b) define
the approximate boundary between elastic and plastic behavior.
 Equation (2.85a) and Equation (2.85b) are not strictly correct because they are based
on a purely elastic analysis.

 Equation (2.85a) and Equation (2.85b) are not strictly correct because they are based
on a purely elastic analysis.
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - PLASTIC ZONE SHAPE
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
 CRACK-TIP CONSTRAINT UNDER LARGE-SCALE YIELDING
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - Plasticity and Size Effects

How can determine the plain stress or stress

Plane stress

z Kc
b

rb Plane strain

bc
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - Plasticity and Size Effects

How can determine the plain stress or stress

Gc & Kc are dependent on Constraint

Lowest values are for Plane strain, ez=0

in the plastic zone, i.e. lateral constraint.

Highest values are for Plane stress, sz=0

 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - Plasticity and Size Effects

How can determine the plain stress or stress

For b >> rr, ez=0, plane strain

For b ≈ rr , sz=0, plane stress

Transition: Kc 2
bc  2.5( )
c
b < bc high value
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY – Three dimension Plastic zone
 Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY – Three dimension Plastic zone