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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

On the equivalence between semiempirical fracture analyses and R-curves

The relationships between several semiempirical fracture analyses (Brockrath and Glassco, 1974; Newman, 1973; Kuhn, 1968; Orange, 1971; Feddersen, 1971) and the R-curve concept of fracture mechanics are examined. Some characteristics of the R-curve concept when applied to finite-width specimens are reviewed, and conditions for equivalence between a semiempirical analysis (SEFA) and an R-curve are derived. The relationship between R-curves and SEFAs is studied for a hypothetical material. It is shown that for each SEFA there is an equivalent R-curve, the magnitude and shape of which are determined by the SEFA formulation and parameters, and which predicts precisely the same relationship between fracture stress and original crack length. A given SEFA correlates residual strength data closely if its equivalent R-curve closely matches the actual R-curve of the material studied. The SEFA given by Newman is found to yield best results for the hypothetical case considered. Equivalent R-curves for real materials are developed using data from the literature.

Orange, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

On the equivalence between semiempirical fracture analyses and R-curves

The relationship between several semiempirical fracture analyses (SEFA) and the R-curve concept of fracture mechanics is examined. The conditions for equivalence between a SEFA and an R-curve are derived. A hypothetical material is employed to study the relationship analytically. Equivalent R-curves are developed for real materials using data from the literature. For each SEFA there is an equivalent R-curve whose magnitude and shape are determined by the SEFA formulation and its empirical parameters. If the R-curve is indeed unique then the various empirical parameters cannot be constant, and vice versa. However, for one SEFA the differences are small enough that they may be within the range of normal data scatter for real materials.

Orange, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A relation between semiempirical fracture analyses and R-curves

The relations between several semiempirical fracture analyses (SEFA) and the R-curve concept of fracture mechanics are examined and the conditions for equivalence between a SEFA and an R-curve are derived. A hypothetical material is employed to study the relation analytically. Equivalent R-curves are developed for several real materials using data from the literature. For each SEFA there is an equivalent R-curve whose magnitude and shape are determined by the SEFA formulation and its empirical parameters. If the R-curve is indeed unique, then the various empirical parameters cannot be constant, and vice versa. However, for one SEFA the differences are small enough that they may be within the range of normal data scatter for real materials.

Orange, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Estimating the R-curve from residual strength data

A method is presented for estimating the crack-extension resistance curve (R-curve) from residual-strength (maximum load against original crack length) data for precracked fracture specimens. The method allows additional information to be inferred from simple test results, and that information can be used to estimate the failure loads of more complicated structures of the same material and thickness. The fundamentals of the R-curve concept are reviewed first. Then the analytical basis for the estimation method is presented. The estimation method has been verified in two ways. Data from the literature (involving several materials and different types of specimens) are used to show that the estimated R-curve is in good agreement with the measured R-curve. A recent predictive blind round-robin program offers a more crucial test. When the actual failure loads are disclosed, the predictions are found to be in good agreement.

Orange, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

On the equivalence between semiempirical fracture analyses and R-curves

The relationship between the R-curves and semiempirical fracture analyses (SEFA) is investigated theoretically using a hypothetical material. Equivalent R-curves (ERC) are developed for real materials using data from the literature. It is shown that for each SEFA there is an ERC whose magnitude and shape are determined by the SEFA formulation and its empirical parameters. The ERC is equivalent in that it predicts exactly the same relationship between the fracture stress and the initial crack length (residual strength) as the SEFA. If the effective R-curve is unique, then the various empirical parameters cannot be constant, and vice versa. However, for one of the SEFA examined, Newman's SEFA, parameter variations are small enough to be within the range of normal data scatter for real materials.

Orange, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Theoretical and experimental comparisons of the nonlinear energy method to the J-integral, R-curve and COD methods in fracture toughness testing

Because of the current high degree of interest in the development of a standard nonlinear test method, analytical and experimental comparisons have been made between the R-curve, COD, J-integral and nonlinear energy methods. A general definition of fracture toughness is proposed and the fundamental definitions of each method are compared to it. Experimental comparisons between the COD, J-integral, nonlinear energy and standard ASTM methods have been made for a series of compact tension tests on several aluminum alloys. Some of the tests were conducted according to the ASTM standard method E399-72, while the specimen thickness was reduced below the minimum requirement for plane strain fracture toughness testing for several other test series. The fracture toughness values obtained by the COD method were significantly higher than the toughness values obtained by the other three methods. All of the methods displayed a tendency to yield higher toughness values as the thickness was decreased below the ASTM plane strain requirement.

Liebowitz, H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Prediction of stable crack growth and instability using the V sub R-curve method

A methodology is presented for predicting stable crack growth and instability of cracked structural components from results of laboratory tests on metallic materials under plane-stress conditions. The methodology is based on the displacement V sub R at the tip of a stably tearing crack. Basically, the V sub R-curve method is a resistance curve approach, such as K sub R and J sub R, except that the 'crack drive' is written in terms of crack-tip displacement instead of K or J. The relationship between crack-tip-opening displacement, crack length, specimen type, and tensile properties is derived from the Dugdale model for the cracked structure of interest. This report describes the laboratory test procedure and calculations used to obtain the V sub R resistance curve from fracture tests of compact or of middle-crack tension (formally center-crack) specimens. The analysis procedure used to predict stable crack growth and instability of any through-the-thickness crack configuration made of the same material and thickness, and tested under the same environmental conditions, is presented. The various limitations of the present V sub R curve method are given. Four example calculations and predictions are shown.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Compliance calibration of specimens used in the R-curve practice

The compliance calibrations for the compact (CS) and crack-line-wedge-loaded (CLWL) specimens have been determined by experimental measurements and by boundary-collocation analysis. The CS and CLWL specimen configurations were modeled more accurately than those used in previous analytical investigations. Polynomial expressions for the compliance at various stations along the crack line for CS and CLWL specimens are presented. The compliance calibrations for the center-crack tension (CCT) specimen have been determined theoretically by boundary-collocation and finite-element analysis. The calculated compliance values for the CCT specimen are compared with values obtained from the Irwin-Westergaard expression and from a modification to the Irwin-Westergaard expression proposed by Eftis and Liebowitz. The Eftis-Liebowitz expression was found to be in good agreement (plus or minus 2 percent) with both analyses for crack aspect ratios up to 0.8 and for gage half-span to specimen width ratios up to 0.5.

Mccabe, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

On fracture toughness evaluation for semi-brittle fracture

The existing methods of assessing the fracture toughness of materials exhibiting semi-brittle fracture are critically reviewed. The methods concern the Crack Growth Resistance (R-curve), the Crack Opening Displacement (COD), and the J-integral. An analysis of the shortcomings of the methods described makes it possible to formulate a new definition of fracture toughness appropriate to semi-brittle fracture. An improved simple experimental method for measuring fracture toughness for semi-brittle fracture is proposed which takes into account both crack growth and plastic nonlinear effects at crack front. The proposed method is shown to be free of the theoretical and experimental discrepancies encountered in the R-curve, COD, and J-integral methods.

Eftis, J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics technology

Among the topics discussed are: fracture analysis methods evaluation; instability prediction using the K sub R-curve approach; and the deformation failure assessment diagram. Consideration is also given to: instability prediction based on the modified J, J sub M-resistance curve approach; and stable crack growth and instability prediction on the V by means of the V sub R-curve method.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Extended Rice–Thomson analysis and atomistic simulations revealing grain boundary effects on fracture in refractory high-entropy alloys

Significance This work serves to extend the fundamental ductile vs. brittle fracture theory, specifically the Rice–Thomson criterion, by introducing a grain boundary ahead of an initiating crack which propagates at an oblique angle to impinge the boundary. Atomistic fracture simulations on two refractory complex concentrated alloys, the brittle NbMoTaW and the ductile Nb 45 Ta 25 Ti 15 Hf 15 , demonstrate qualitative correspondence with the extended Rice–Thomson criterion and experimental observations. Abstract Understanding how grain boundaries mediate fracture remains a critical challenge in designing ductile, high-performance refractory alloys. Here, we extend the Rice–Thomson criterion to account for the angle between cracks and the impinging grain boundaries (GBs), capturing the competition between intergranular fracture and dislocation-mediated plasticity. Using machine learning interatomic potentials, we performed molecular statics simulations to probe fracture mechanisms in nanocrystalline NbMoTaW and Nb 45 Ta 25 Ti 15 Hf 15 , each with two different grain sizes, revealing trends consistent with experimental observations and the extended Rice model. Comparison with averaged R-curves for bulk samples demonstrates that GBs enhance ductility in Nb 45 Ta 25 Ti 15 Hf 15 in both grain sizes investigated. In contrast, GBs only locally improve fracture resistance in NbMoTaW when cracks are temporarily pinned at GBs inclined at high angles from the crack, but generally promote brittle intergranular fracture. These contrasting behaviors are attributed to differences in GB cohesion, reflecting clear alloying trends that align with ab-initio calculations and trends observed experimentally. Our results bridge classical fracture theory, atomistic simulations, and experimental observations, providing a comprehensive understanding of the fracture mechanisms in nanocrystalline refractory complex concentrated alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1976

Crack-opening displacements in center-crack, compact, and crack-line wedge-loaded specimens

The theoretical crack-opening displacements for center-crack, compact, and crack-line wedge-loaded specimens (reported in the ASTM Proposed Recommended Practice for R-Curve Determination (1974)) disagree with experimental measurements in the literature. The disagreement is a result of using approximate specimen configurations and load representation to obtain the theoretical displacements. An improved method of boundary collocation is presented which was used to obtain the theoretical displacements in these three specimen types; the actual specimen configurations and more accurate load representation were used. In the analysis of crack-opening displacements in the compact and crack-line wedge-loaded specimens, the effects of the pin-loaded holes were also included. The theoretical calculations agree with the experimental measurements reported in the literature. Also examined are accurate polynomial expressions for crack-opening displacements in both compact and crack-line wedge-loaded specimens.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Developments in fracture mechanics test methods standardization; Proceedings of the Symposium, St. Louis, Mo., May 4, 1976

Experience in plane-strain fracture toughness testing per ASTM Method E 399 is considered along with fracture toughness testing using the C-shaped specimen, an analysis of radially cracked ring segments subject to forces and couples, compliance calibration of specimens used in the R-curve practice, heavy-section fracture toughness screening specimen, and sharply notched cylindrical tension specimens for screening plane-strain fracture toughness. Attention is also given to an investigation of some problems in developing standards for precracked Charpy specimen strength ratios, fracture testing with surface crack specimens, and the estimation of plane strain fracture toughness values from slow bend precracked Charpy specimen strength ratios.

Brown, W. F., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A new basis for the determination of fracture toughness

A study is presented which shows that the growth of the plastic zone and the constraint in a compact tension specimen depends significantly on specimen width. The analysis permits the estimation of the contribution of the growth of plastic zone to the deviation from linearity. The contribution of the crack growth to the deviation from linearity is evaluated from the analysis of a typical R-curve data. A combination of these two analyses enables one to define a very simple procedure for the determination of fracture toughness. The fracture toughness is defined as the stress intensity value at which the crack extension starts. The good agreement between analytical results and experimental KQ and KIC values determined over a wide range of thicknesses, widths, and materials justifies the proposed procedures. The KIC determined according to this procedure is independent of specimen width and such a procedure enhances the range of applicability of the K concept to a wider combination of configurations and materials.

Banerjee, S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Data development for ASTM E24.06.02 round robin program on instability prediction

Basis data for use in an ASTM E24.06.02 task group round robin activity was developed. Compact specimens were made of 2024-T351, 7075-T651 aluminum alloys, and 304 stainless steel. All were 12.7 mm thick and planar dimension variables incorporated were for 1T, 2T and 4T sizes. Representative raw data for each material and specimen size are contained herein. R-curves plotted in terms of delta a physical and delta a effective are plotted for each material.

Mccabe, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Simple spline-function equations for fracture mechanics calculations

The paper presents simple spline-function equations for fracture mechanics calculations. A spline function is a sequence of piecewise polynomials of degree n greater than 1 whose coefficients are such that the function and its first n-1 derivatives are continuous. Second-degree spline equations are presented for the compact, three point bend, and crack-line wedge-loaded specimens. Some expressions can be used directly, so that for a cyclic crack propagation test using a compact specimen, the equation given allows the cracklength to be calculated from the slope of the load-displacement curve. For an R-curve test, equations allow the crack length and stress intensity factor to be calculated from the displacement and the displacement ratio.

Orange, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Mechanics of fracture - Fundamentals and some recent developments

An overview is presented of the fundamental aspects of and recent developments in fracture mechanics. Reference is made to linear elastic fracture mechanics including the state of stresses and displacements in the vicinity of cracks, effects of crack geometry and orientation on stress intensity factors, energy balance of Griffith, Irwin's stress intensity concept, and linear elastic fracture mechanics testing for fracture toughness. Other aspects of this paper include the non-linear behavior of materials and their influence on fracture mechanics parameters, consideration of viscoelasticity and plasticity, non-linear fracture toughness parameters as C.O.D., R-curve and J-integral, and a non-linear energy method, proposed by Liebowitz. Finite element methods applied to fracture mechanics problems are indicated. Also, consideration has been given to slow crack growth, dynamic effects on K(IC), Sih's criterion for fracture, Lee and Liebowitz's criterion relating crack growth with plastic energy, and applications of fracture mechanics to aircraft design. Suggestions are offered for future research efforts to be undertaken in fracture mechanics.

Liebowitz, H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

An integrated micromechanical and macromechanical approach to fracture behavior of fiber-reinforced composites

A novel integrated micromechanical and macromechanical fracture criterion (IMMFC) was developed for the purpose of characterizing fractures in fiber-reinforced composites. The Griffith energy balance equation was modified to include the energy absorption due to matrix yielding, matrix cracks, fiber breaks, and fiber-matrix interface debonds characteristic for these materials. Parameters which are a measure of the size and density of the microflaws are introduced into the development of the IMMFC, and the concept of the R-curve is used to bridge the micromechanics and macromechanics approaches.

Mahishi, Jayant M.↗