Structural Engineering and Mechanics

Volume 40, Number 6, 2011, pages 813-827

DOI: 10.12989/sem.2011.40.6.813

A numerical solution for a finite internally cracked plate using hybrid crack element method

Y.Z. Chen

Abstract

This paper provides a numerical solution for a finite internally cracked plate using hybrid crack element method (HCE). In the formulation, an inclined crack is placed in any place of a rectangular element and the complex variable method is used. The complex potentials are expressed in a series form, and several undetermined coefficients are involved. The complex potentials for the cracked rectangle are first suggested in this paper. Based on a variational principle, the element stiffness matrix can be evaluated. The next steps are same as in the usual finite element method. Several numerical examples with computed stress intensity factor and T-stress are presented.

Key Words

hybrid crack element; variational principle; complex variable method; stress intensity factor; T-stress

Address

Y.Z. Chen: Division of Engineering Mechanics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013 People