Computational fracture analysis of an AFM-specimen under mixed mode loading conditions

Fracture processes in ship-building structures are in many cases of a 3-D character. A finite element (FE) model of an all fracture mode (AFM) specimen was built for the study of 3-D mixed mode crack fracture behavior including modes I, II, and III. The stress intensity factors (SIFs) were calculated by the modified virtual crack closure integral (MVCCI) method, and the crack initiation angle assessment was based on a recently developed 3-D fracture criterion—the Richard criterion. It was shown that the FE model of the AFM-specimen is applicable for investigations under general mixed mode loading conditions, and the computational results of crack initiation angles are in agreement with some available experimental findings. Thus, the applicability of the FE model of the AFM-specimen for mixed mode loading conditions and the validity of the Richard criterion can be demonstrated.