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A substructuring application of the virtual crack extension method
Author(s) -
Hellen T. K.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/nme.1620191110
Subject(s) - extension (predicate logic) , substructure , vertex (graph theory) , node (physics) , computer science , structural engineering , set (abstract data type) , stress intensity factor , finite element method , algorithm , geometry , mathematics , graph , engineering , theoretical computer science , programming language
The virtual crack extension method (VCE) is a very effective tool with finite elements for the accurate evaluation of stress intensity factors in two‐ or three‐dimensional structures. The method utilizes the concept of extending any node on the crack profile in any required direction and by any required amount. A new facility stores a relevant substructure of crack tip stiffnesses so that any number of restarts, each with a new set of extensions, can be performed. Different nodes around three‐dimensional crack profiles can be considered, either at vertex or midside node positions. The extension of the vertex nodes, in particular, also involves moving adjacent midside nodes along the profile, and different ways of effecting this, together with the calculation of the relevant area change, have been introduced and are described along with illustrative examples.