Critical distance for creep crack growth problems

This article presents a critical distance behavior by modeling creep crack growth in compact tension specimen. Special emphasis is put on the analysis of the effect material properties and the crack front shape. For the specified geometry of the specimen considered, the governing parameter of the creep stress field In, the creep stress intensity factor and fracture process zone distributions along the crack front are determined as a function of the crack length, the creep time and nonlinear-viscous material properties. Correlation between the fracture process zone size and the creep stress intensity factor based on the strain energy rate density is found.