Owen D.R.J., Fawkes A.J. Engineering Fracture Mechanics: Numerical Methods and Applications

Pineridge Press Ltd., 1983. – 305 pp. OCR.The purpose of this text is to present and demonstrate the use of finite element based methods for the solution of fracture problems. Over the last decade or so numerical techniques, such as the finite element and boundary integral methods, have been recognised to be a powerful aid to fracture analysis and solutions can now be obtained with confidence for complex engineering problems of both a linear and non-linear nature. However, such numerical solutions can only be obtained at, often, considerable computer costs. Therefore, the text also considers the more traditional approaches to fracture analysis and attempts to remind the reader to always consider the degree of accuracy within which a solution is sought. For example, an extensive finite element analysis of a cracked engineering component is unwarranted if a hand calculation on a simplified model indicates the possibility of fracture to be remote.Numerous books already exist in the separate areas of fracture mechanics and finite element computation and it is not the aim of the authors to duplicate these contributions. The essential expressions offracture theory and the finite element process are briefly summarised for completeness, but the emphasis of the text is directed at describing the often painful steps of translating the theoretical expressions into working computer programs. Moreover, an attempt is made to oevelop efficient and robust computer codes which can be confidently employed in both research and commercial environments. The programs are written in standard FORTRAN and are modularily structured so that the reader can readily extend or adapt them to suit his own particular needs. Although every attempt has been made to verify the programs presented. no responsibility can be accepted for their performance in practice.In the field oflinear elastic fracture mechanics both the fundamental theory and the role of finite elements are well established and the codes included in this text should satisfy the immediate needs of fracture analysts, for two-dimensional situations at least. For elasto-plastic problems, the authors realise that considerable discussion still exists on appropriate fracture criteria and therefore the J-integral approach followed in this text offers only the currently most accepted method of numerical solution.