Experimental and numerical analysis of vibrating cracked plates at resonant frequencies

Owing to the advantages of noncontact and fullfield measurement, an optical system called the amplitude fluctuation electronic speckle pattern interferometry (AFESPI) method with an out-of-plane setup is employed to investigate the vibration of a cantilever square plate with a crack emanating from one edge. Based on the fact that clear fringe patterns will be shown by the AFESPI method only at resonant frequencies, both the resonant frequencies and the vibration mode shapes can be obtained experimentally at the same time. Three different crack locations will be discussed in detail in this study. One is parallel to the clamped edge, and the other two are perpendicular to the clamped edge. The numerical finite element calculations are compared with the experimental results, and good agreement is obtained for resonant frequencies and mode shapes. The influences of crack locations and lengths on the vibration behavior of the clamped cantilever plate are studied in terms of the dimensionless frequency parameter (λ 2) versus crack length ratio (a/L). The authors find that if the crack face displacements are out of phase, a large value of stress intensity factor may be induced, and the cracked plate will be dangerous from the fracture mechanics point of view. However, there are some resonant frequencies for which the crack face displacements are completely in phase, causing a zero stress intensity factor, and the cracked plate will be safe.