Non-planar crack growth analyses of multiple cracks in thin-walled structures

Non-planar crack propagation analyses for thin-walled structures containing multiple cracks are performed using Fracture and Crack Propagation Analysis System (FCPAS) finite element software. Numerical results from FCPAS, which employs three-dimensional enriched finite elements and is applied first time to multiple non-planar cracks, agree well with numerical and experimental data from the literature. In order to validate FCPAS crack growth results for non-planar multiple cracks in thin-walled structures, three different problems are solved and the corresponding results are compared with available data. Comparisons of obtained results show very close agreement with the available numerical and experimental data in terms of crack paths and stress intensity factors (SIF) under Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) conditions. Therefore, it is concluded that FCPAS is capable of predicting non-planar multiple crack growth behavior in thin-walled structures.