Structural Engineering and Mechanics

Volume 53, Number 4, 2015, pages 681-702

DOI: 10.12989/sem.2015.53.4.681

Fracture analysis and remaining life prediction of aluminium alloy 2014a plate panels with concentric stiffeners under fatigue loading

A. Ramachandra Murthy, Rakhi Sara Mathew, G.S. Palani, Smitha Gopinath and Nagesh R. Iyer

Abstract

Fracture analysis and remaining life prediction has been carried out for aluminium alloy (Al2014A) plate panels with concentric stiffener by varying sizes and positions under fatigue loading. Tension coupon tests and compact tension tests on 2014A have been carried out to evaluate mechanical properties and crack growth constants. Domain integral technique has been used to compute the Stress intensity factor (SIF) for various cases. Generalized empirical expressions for SIF have been derived for various positions of stiffener and size. From the study, it can be concluded that the remaining life for stiffened panel for particular size and position can be estimated by knowing the remaining life of corresponding unstiffened panel.

Key Words

stiffened panel; fracture analysis; stress intensity factor; remaining life; concentric stiffener

Address

A. Ramachandra Murthy, G.S. Palani, Smitha Gopinath and Nagesh R. Iyer: CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, Taramani, Chennai, 600 113, India Rakhi Sara Mathew: Saintgits College of Engineering, Pathamuttom P O, Kottayam, Kerala, 686 532, India