Fracture Mechanics

EXERCISES

Exercise 1

In industrial facilities, thick sheets are inspected in order to

detect any potential cracks that could cause a sudden rupture during operation.
If the material has a crack of 1mm.
a) Calculate the toughness of the material

b) Compare the found value with the critical intensity factor and then deduce a
conclusion
c) Calculate the critical crack size
We give:
Re = 480 MPa, geometric correction factor α = 1.12; σ = Re,
KIC= 53 MPa.√m

Solution 1 :

K . a
3
K=1.2x480x .1x10 30.3 MPa m

This value is much lower than the [Link]= 53MPa.√mdu material and by
Consequently, if the rupture occurs, it will rather be of the "plastic deformation" type.
generalized"... So the material gradually deforms before breaking...
2 2
1 K IC 1 53 3
aC 2.7x10 m 2.7 mm
Re 1.2x480

Exercise 2

A large plate has a through crack subjected to a tensile stress of 100

MPa, and a toughness of KIC= 50 MPa m1/2.
a) Determine the critical crack size, assuming that the material has a
linear elastic behavior
b) Calculate the critical energy of this material knowing its Young's modulus
E = 207000 MPa
 Fracture Mechanics

Solution 2:

At the K breakIC K I a c , so

50MPa m 100MPa a c
a c 0.0796m 79.6 mm
The total length of the crack is 2ac159 mm

GC
K IC  50MPa m  2

0.0121 MPa mm 12.1 kPa m = 12.1 kJ/m2

E 207000MPa

Exercise 3

A large plate made of aluminum alloy has a centered crack of 25 mm in length. If the
the breaking constraint of this sample is σmax= 200 MN/m2and the yield limit
σy= 400 MN/m2
Calculate the toughness of the material using:
The concept of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM),
By introducing the correction of the plastic area around the crack

Solution 3:
a) Using the concept of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM)

0.025 3/2
K IC max a 200 39.6 million meter
2

b) By introducing the correction of the plastic zone around the crack:

2
1 max
K IC max a  rp 
max a 1
2 y

2
0.025 1,200
K IC 200 1
2 2,400
3 /2
K IC 42MN·m
 Fracture mechanics

Exercise 4:
A pressure vessel made from a steel plate, which can be:
a maraging steel (18% nickel) with σy= 1900 MN/m2and KIC82 MN.m-3/2 ;
b- A medium strength steel with σy= 1000 MN/m2and KIC= 50 MN.m-3/2.
Which of these two steels has the best tolerance to defects?
Compare their tenacity if we assume they have the same tolerance for defects.
The safety coefficient is s = 2.

Solution 4:

1) For an infinite dimension plate, we have the relation:

K IC a

a) The length of the critical crack for maraging steel:

2
1 KIC y
ac , d
d 2
2
1 82
ac 0.0024m 2.4mm, which corresponds to a critical length of 4.2mm
950
b) The length of the critical crack for medium strength steel:
2
1 50
ac 0.0038m 3.18mm, which is a critical length of 6.36mm.
500

It is observed that medium-strength steel exhibits the best tolerance to defects.

2) Comparison of tenacities:
3 /2
K IC d a 950 0.00318 95MN.m

Exercise 5
A steel plate (KIC=150 MPa. (m)1/2; σe=1500 MPa) is supposed to contain a
semi-elliptical outflow fissure with an apparent length of 3 cm and a depth of 0.5
cm. What is the constraint causing the rupture of the plate in this case.
Sing that :
Take =1
 Fracture mechanics

Solution 5 :

The maximum value of KIis obtained at the extremity of the minor axis i.e. (a=0.5 cm) and is worth

a K IC 150
K I 1.12 1068MPa
a 0.005
1.12 1.12
1
rup 1068 MPa

Exercise 6

A steel bar (σe= 1790 MPa, KIC = 90 MPa(m)1/2square section 120x120 mm2
is subjected to a tensile force F = 12 MN. The bar has a quarter angle crack.
circle with a radius of a=1cm. If we evaluate the stress intensity factor based on that of
the breakthrough semi-circular crack, the corrosion factor on the free surface (1.12)
being applied twice to account for the two perpendicular surfaces

Will the beam withstand the load applied to it?

Solution 6 :

The stress intensity factor can be evaluated from that of the semi-
drainage circular, the corrosion factor on the free surface (1.12) can be applied
twice to take into account the two perpendicular surfaces.
 Fracture mechanics

F 12
833.33MPa
S 0.12x0.12
2 a
So: KI 
2.24  117.95MPa m

KI 117.95 KI c 90MPa m
wecanseethatKI KI c ,
So the beam will break under the applied load.

Exercise 7

A thick plate with dimensions (W = 200 mm) has two critical cracks on the sides.
of length a = 10 mm each. Suppose it is subjected to a stress of
traction of 650 MPa.
a) Determine the stress intensity factor.
b) What would be the defect that can be tolerated (critique) for a central crack plate and
who has the same value of the stress intensity factor and is subjected to the same stress
previous.
The stress intensity is given for a plate with two cracks on the sides:

The stress intensity factor for a central crack plate:

Solution 7 :
1/2
W a 0.2W a
K a tan  sine
a W a W

a) KI 16.65MPa m
2
1 KI
b) a c 11.97mm
 Fracture Mechanics

Exercise 8
We are conducting fracture tests on two plates of this material containing a crack.
central :
The first of width W = 500 mm contains a crack of length 2a = 75 mm
The second width W = 50 mm contains a crack of length 2a = 25 mm.

With KIC= 100 MPa.m1/2, β1=1, β2=1.18

For each of the plates:

1) Calculate the critical stress that would lead to catastrophic failure.

2) Determine the stress that would lead to generalized plasticization of the
section containing the crack
3) Deduce how the break will occur in each case and for what reason.
constraint. It is recalled

Solution 8 :
1)

K IC 100
1max 291MPa
1 a C1 1x .37.5
K IC 100
2 max 427.7 MPa
2 a C2 1.18 x .12.5
2)
2
5K IC 5x K IC 5x100
W 2
, e1 316.22 MPa
e W1 500
5x K IC 5x100
e2 1000 MPa
W2 50
3)
2 2
a1. 1max a 2. 2 max
r P1 2
15.6 mm r P2 2
1.6 mm
e1 e2
 Fracture mechanics

Exercise 9

Estimate the value of the theoretical breaking strain of a brittle material, containing
an elliptical crack with a length of 0.5 mm, with a radius of curvature of 5.10-3
mm. Knowing that the applied tensile stress is 103.5 MPa
Solution 9 :

a
t m 1 2

0,5
t 103, 5 1 2 2174 MPa
5x103

a
t m 1 2

0,5
t 103, 5 1 2 2174 MPa
5x103

Exercise 10
A large glass pane is subjected to a tensile stress of 40 MPa. The energy of
the surface of the glass is 0.3J/m2and its modulus of elasticity E= 69GPa. Determine the
length of the cracked surface (surface perpendicular to the stress) that could cause the
rupture.

Solution 10 :

2 E
c
ac
2 E 
2times0,369times
109  6m 0.0082 mm 8,2 m
8, 2x10
ac 2
c  x40x10 6
 2

Exercise 11
Calculations based on cohesive strength suggest that the tensile stress of glass
is 10 GPa. Meanwhile, the value of the tensile stress found experimentally
is only 1.5% of this value. Griffith assumes that this value is low because
from the presence of cracks in the glass.
Calculate the length of the crack, in a direction perpendicular to the tensile stress.
 Fracture Mechanics

Given: Young's modulus E = 70 GPa, the surface energy is γs=0.5J/m2

Solution 11 :

2 E 2x  70x 10  x0,5
9

ac 2
9, 9x10 7
x 0.15x10 
9 2
c

2x6m
2a c10
Exercise 12
A steel plate has a tensile stress of 1900 MPa. Calculate the value of the
percentage of stress reduction caused by the crack in this plate which is
length 2a = 3 mm (surface perpendicular to the stress)
We give:
200 GPas= 2 J/m2, the plastic energy γp= 2×104J/m2
Solution 12:

Gc 2  s
 p
2
a
Gc
E
G cxE 40004x200
600, 54 MPa
.a .1, 5
600, 54
reduction  % c
31.6%
t 1900

Exercise 13

Two wooden beams are assembled using epoxy adhesive as indicated in the
figure below. The adhesive was stirred before application, resulting in air bubbles which,
under pressure in the formation of the joint, deform into disks of diameter 2a =
2 mm. If the beam has the indicated dimensions, and the epoxy has a fracture toughness of
0.5 MN m-3/2.
Calculate the maximum load F that the beam can support.
Knowing that: σ = Mf.V/I0,I0= bh3/12 and V = h/2
 Fracture mechanics

Solution 13 :
KI a

K 0, 5
= 8.92 MPa
a 3
.1x10
M f M f .V
I0 I0
V
F Mf
M f .L F
2 L

 
3 3
 
3
0.1 10
Mf .I 0 8, 92. 148666, 66 Nmm
V 6
148666, 66
F 2x 2973, 33N
3
1x10

Exercise 14
During a toughness determination test, K is foundQ= 55 MPa√m. The limit
material elasticity being equal to 690 MPa and the thickness of the specimen being 12.7
mm.

a) Indicate whether the essay is valid.

b) Give the maximum value of toughness that can be measured with such a
test tube.

Solution 14 :

2 2
KQ 3 55
a) B min
2, 5 2
10 x2, 5 15, 38mm
e 690
Bmin 12.7 therefore the test is not valid
3
R e2xB 950 2x12, 7x10 67, 71MPa
b) K Q
2, 5 2, 5
 Fracture Mechanics

Exercise 15
A tensile specimen made of AlCu4Mg1 alloy type B (CT) 50 mm wide, 12.5
mm thick, subjected to a critical force of FQ = 9.05 kN. The value of the crack a =
25 mm with elastic stress is 390 MPa.
a) Calculate the apparent stress intensity factor of the material
b) Deduce the minimum width Bminof the test tube
c) What can you conclude?

Solution 15 :

3
9050 x 10 x10, 61
FQ a
KQ f , KQ 34, 35 MPa m
B W W 12, 5 50
2 2
KQ 3 34, 5
2) B min 2, 5. 2, 5 times 10 19.4 mm
e 390
3)B 12, 5<19, 4, it means that >Q
K ICK

Exercise 16

A large plate with a thickness of 36 mm with a crack at the edge measuring 32 mm in length.
is drawn very slowly under load of displacement. At a displacement of 7.2 mm, when the
The recorded load is 2750 N, the crack begins to grow. At a = 41.7 mm, the crack
has stopped and the load decreases to 1560 N. Determine the rate of critical energy released.
 Fracture Mechanics

Solution 16 :

air of OAB air of (OAC) air of (OBC)

GC
Bx a Bx a
a a 2a 1 41.7 3.2 9.7 mm
3 3
0.01461/27.2x10 x1560
2
GC 12268J/m
3
(36x9.7)x10
2
G C 12.27 KJ/m

Exercise 17:

A rectangular perspex sheet measuring 600 mm by 300 mm by 6 mm in thickness is

described in two equal squares by a knife, leaving a uniform cut of depth of
0.3 mm. What is the bending moment required to break the plate if the perspex has a
work at a fracture of 500 J/m2? Note that E = 2.5 GPa for perspex.

Solution 17 :

9
G C.E 500x2.5x10
36.4 MPa
f
.a x0.0003
f. I bt a 3
Mf , I
 t  a/2 12
6 3
36.4 times 10 x0.3x0.0057
M 59.2 N.m
0.0342

Exercise 18

If the rupture strength of a large maraging steel plate, which contains a crack
The central part of 40 mm is 480 MPa, calculate the breaking stress of a similar sheet.
containing a crack of 100 mm.
 Fracture Mechanics

Solution 18 :

G C.E K a 480 x20x10

3
120.32 MPa m
f ,
.a
K 120.32
f 304 MPa
xa 2 3
x50x10

Exercise 19

A cracked cantilever beam is deflected by 8 mm under a load of 10 kN. To the

With the same load, the deviation is increased by 1 mm due to an extension of the crack.
0.5 mm. Calculate the initial stress intensity factor. Assume E = 200 GPa,
thickness of the section = 0.5 m
Solution 19 :

2
P c
GC ,
2.B a
8
Initial compliance mm/ N
10000
9
Final compliance mm/N
10000
4 2
10
c 1 1 4
,G x 2x10 N / m
a 5000 2x0.5 5000
2
K 4 9
G K G.E 2x10 x200x10 63.2 MPa m
E

OTHER PROPOSED EXERCISES

Exercise 1

Calculate the maximum stress at the bottom of an elliptical-shaped crack of length

10 mm and a radius of curvature ρ = 2.0 mm, such that the external tensile stress
the applied stress is 100 MPa.
Deduce the stress concentration factor?
 Fracture mechanics

Exercise 2

Three cracks are detected in a structure by ultrasound. The first of a

length of 16 mm in a stress region of 100 MPa with a shape function
(f = 1,2)
The second one at a length of 9 mm under a stress of 150 MPa, with f = 1.1 and the
the third is 25 mm long in a stress region of 70 MPa and
(f = 1.3).
What is the most dangerous crack in this structure?
Deduce the Griffith energy corresponding to this crack, knowing that E = 207 GPa

Exercise 3

During a toughness test on a compact specimen.

a) Calculate KQ
b) Check if the test is valid (KQ= KC)
c) Calculate the energy (plane deformation state)
We give:
σe=759 MPa, FQ= 42.3 KN, B = 25.4 mm, W = 50.8 mm, a = 27.7 mm, E = 207 GPa

This value is 0.28.

a/w 0.40 0.45 0.50 0.54

f1(a/w) 7.18 8.22 9.52 11.17

Exercise 4

We consider two materials, whose mechanical properties are as follows:

an aluminum alloy 2024-T3: yield strength Re= 490 MPa and toughness
K1C= 110 MNm-3/2
a steel with yield strength Re= 1700 MPa and toughness K1C= 60 MNm-3/2.
We want to test two samples made respectively of each of these materials;
central notch plates are used, containing an initial crack length
2a = 2 mm.
1) Determine the critical stress leading to abrupt failure for these materials.
2) Comment on the obtained results: in your opinion, what type of break will we achieve for
each of the materials? Which material would you suggest using and why?
 Fracture mechanics

Exercise 5

A glass plate of 2 m by 200 mm by 2 mm contains a central crack parallel to the

side of 200 mm. The plate is fixed at one end and tensioned at the other with
a mass of 500 kg. What is the maximum allowable length of the crack before the
rupture? Let's assume the state of plane stress and the values of material properties
following: E = 60 GPa, the surface energy is 0.5 J/m2.

Exercise 6

The load on a 30 mm thick plate with a 50 mm edge crack

length was increased very slowly and the movement of the load point was
monitored. It was observed that at a load of 2100 N and displacement u = 4.1 mm, the crack has
began to grow. The growth rate of the crack was much faster than the
rate of increase in load and, consequently, the crack was essentially
increased to a load of 2100 N. Thanks to a quick camera recording, we have
noticed that the crack increased to 65 mm in length with an increase
displacement speed at u = 7.5 mm. Determine the critical energy release rate.

Exercise 7

The breaking constraint of a steel plate, containing a central crack of

a length of 40 mm is 480 MPa.
Calculate the breaking stress of this same material, containing a crack of a ...
length of 100 mm.
 Fracture Mechanics

Exercise 8

A panel, 3 mm thick and 10 cm wide containing a 1 edge crack

mm subject to tension under a load of 150 kN (a). However, at a load of 120 kN,
Another panel of the same material is broken into two pieces when the crack had a
length of 5 mm (b). With this information, calculate the elastic stress and the toughness
material rupture. Such as the shape factor is Y = 1.12

Exercise 9 (a) (b)

What is the maximum constraint applied at the bottom of an interior crack?

length 3.8.10-2mm, with a curvature radius of 1.9.10-4, knowing that the
The nominal tensile stress is 140 MPa?

a) Deduce the stress concentration factor?

Exercise 10
For materials with moderate toughness (for example, aluminum alloys),
KIc can be determined from JIcExpress the minimum thickness required for the test
JIc(Bj) in terms of minimum thickness required for test KI see(Bk).
Such as :
The Young's modulus E = 70,000 MPa
the elastic resistance ys = 345 MPa
The breaking resistance uts= 500 MPa

Exercise 11
The value of the integral J is independent of the exact path taken by the crack tip.
counterclockwise, starting from the lowest and ending at the crack of
 Fracture mechanics

upper flange (figure below).

a) What is J for a closed contour, that is, not enclosing the singularity of
crack point?
b) Indicate what is wrong with the reasoning in the following text:
Along the closed contour ABPA shown in the figure, the integral J is zero. Along the
The AP and BP flanks J is also equal to zero. Therefore, J must be zero along the contour.
surrounding crack, A B.

Exercise 12
A test JIcis made of steel with the following properties:
207 GPays360 MPa in σuts= 560 MPa ; ν = 0.28. To this effect, a test specimen of
three-point bending is used with the following dimensions:
50 mm
The charge increases linearly with displacement. At the beginning of the extension of the
fissure, the load is 25 kN, while the displacement is 4 mm.
a) What value follows for JIc, if this is defined as J at the beginning of the extension of the
fissure?
b) What is the corresponding value for KI see?
c) What thickness should the sample have for a K determinationIcvalid?