VIRTUAL CRACK CLOSURE TECHNIQUE ON STEPPED CRACK FRONT (VCCT-S)

A recent development in the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) analysis method called VCCT-S is presented that expands the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) capability to handle a 3-D crack with a stepped crack front. A modified double cantilever beam (DCB) configuration with a curved crack front is used for demonstrating the VCCT-S analysis. The crack front is created using rectangular elements that are not perpendicular to the crack front, thereby exercising the unique capabilities of the VCCT-S analysis. DCB specimens with a curved crack front were also used for the modified DCB testing. Comparison of the strain energy release rate determined from the VCCT-S analysis and the result obtained from the test reveals good agreement.