• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 2024

In this study, the two-dimensional crack problem was investigated by using the finite element method (FEM)-based ANSYS package program and the artificial neural network (ANN)-based multilayer perceptron (MLP) method. For this purpose, a half-infinite functionally graded (FG) layer with a crack pressed through two rigid blocks was analyzed using FEM and ANN. Mass forces and friction were neglected in the solution. To control the validity of the crack problem model exercised, the acquired results were compared with a study in the literature. In addition, FEM and ANN results were checked using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R²), and a well agreement was found. Numerical solutions were made considering different geometric parameters and material properties. The stress intensity factor (SIF) was examined for these values, and the results were presented. Consequently, it is concluded that the considered non-dimensional quantities have a noteworthy influence on the SIF. Also FEM and ANN can be logical alternative methods to time-consuming analytical solutions if used correctly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.553-560
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• 2015

Fracture mechanics analysis for cracked pipes is essential for applying the leak-before-break (LBB) concept to nuclear piping design. For LBB assessment, crack instability and leak rate should be predicted accurately for through-wall cracked pipes. In a nuclear piping system, elbows are connected with straight pipes by circumferential welding; this weld region is often considered a critical location. Hence, accurate crack assessment is necessary for cracks in the interface between elbows and straight pipes. In this study, the stress intensity factor (SIF) and elastic crack opening displacement (COD) were estimated through detailed 3D elastic finite element (FE) analyses. Based on the results, closed-form solutions of shape factors for calculating the SIFs and elastic CODs were proposed for circumferential through-wall cracks in the abovementioned interfaces under internal pressure. In addition, the effect of the elbow on shape factors was investigated by comparing the results with the existing solutions for a straight pipe.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.497-504
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• 1988

The steady state thermal stress intensity factors (TSIF's) are analyzed for hypocycloid, symmetric airfoil and symmetric lip type rigid inclusions embedded in infinite elastic solids, using Boganoff's complex variable approach in plane thermoplasticity. Two thermal conditions are considered, one with an uniform heat flow disturbed by an insulated rigid inclusion of cusp crack shape and the other with an uniform heat flow disturbed by a rigid inclusion of cusp crack shape with fixed boundary temperature. The tendencies of TSIF's for rigid inclusions of cusp crack shape are somewhat different from those of traction free cusp cracks. However, if k=-1, the non-dimensionalized TSIF's for rigid inclusions of cusp crack shape become those of traction free cusp cracks like the tendencies of the SIF's under mechanical loading conditions. The thermal stress and displacement components for a rigid circular inclusion of radius Ro are drived from the results of a hypocycloid crack type rigid inclusion.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.65-89
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• 2016

This paper presents the development of methodologies using Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) for cracked unstiffened and concentric stiffened panels subjected to constant amplitude tensile fatigue loading. XFEM formulations such as level set representation of crack, element stiffness matrix formulation and numerical integration are presented and implemented in MATLAB software. Stiffeners of the stiffened panels are modelled using truss elements such that nodes of the panel and nodes of the stiffener coincide. Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) is computed from the solutions of XFEM using domain form of interaction integral. Paris's crack growth law is used to compute the number of fatigue cycles up to failure. Numerical investigations are carried out to model the crack growth, estimate the remaining life and generate damage tolerant curves. From the studies, it is observed that (i) there is a considerable increase in fatigue life of stiffened panels compared to unstiffened panels and (ii) as the external applied stress is decreasing number of fatigue life cycles taken by the component is increasing.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.599-608
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• 2002

Finite element analysis for the stress intensity factor (SIF) at the skin/stiffener structure with inclined central crack repaired by composite stiffened panels is developed. A numerical investigation was conducted to characterize the fracture behavior and crack growth behavior at the inclined crack. In order to investigate the crack growth direction, maximum tangential stress (MTS) criterion are used. Also, this paper is to study the performance of the effective bonded composite patch repair of a plate containing an inclined central through-crack. The main objective of this research is the validation of the inclined crack patching design. In this paper, the reduction of stress intensity factors at the crack-tip and prediction of crack growth direction are determined to evaluate the effects of various non-dimensional design parameter including; composite patch thickness and stiffener distance. We report the results of finite element analysis on the stiffener locations and crack slant angles and discuss them in this paper. The research on cracked structure subjected to mixed mode loading is accomplished and concludes that more work using a different approaches is necessary. The authors hope the present study will aid those who are responsible for the repair of damaged aircraft structures and also provide general repair guidelines.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.589-603
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• 2015

The mixed-mode stress intensity factors of 2-D angled cracks are evaluated by Petrov-Galerkin natural element (PG-NE) method in which Voronoi polygon-based Laplace interpolation functions and CS-FE basis functions are used for the trial and test functions respectively. The interaction integral is implemented in a frame of PG-NE method in which the weighting function defined over a crack-tip integral domain is interpolated by Laplace interpolation functions. Two Cartesian coordinate systems are employed and the displacement, strains and stresses which are solved in the grid-oriented coordinate system are transformed to the other coordinate system aligned to the angled crack. The present method is validated through the numerical experiments with the angled edge and center cracks, and the numerical accuracy is examined with respect to the grid density, crack length and angle. Also, the stress intensity factors obtained by the present method are compared with other numerical methods and the exact solution. It is observed from the numerical results that the present method successfully and accurately evaluates the mixed-mode stress intensity factors of 2-D angled cracks for various crack lengths and crack angles.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.31-37
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• 2000

When a crack is produced in a concrete structure, a micro crack zone of fracture process zone (FPZ) appears at the crack tip. To investigate the behaviour of this the micro crack zone, nonlinear fracture mechanics (NLFM) must be applied. However, when a massive concrete structure such as a concrete gravity dam is considered, the micro crack zone can be neglected and the structure can be assumed to have linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) behaviour. This study is divided into two main topics : (1) Calculating stress intensity factor (SIF) at the crack tip by surface integral method and (2) Investigating the propagation of the initial crack. If the initial crack propagates, the angle of the propagation is calculated by using maximum circumferential tensile strength theory. This study, also, contains the effects of body forces and water pressures on the crack face.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.5
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• pp.565-574
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• 2022

The infrastructures such as offshore, bridges, power plant, oil and gas piping and aircraft operate in a harsh environment during their service life. Structural integrity of engineering components used in these industries is paramount for the reliability and economics of operation. Two regression models based on the concept of Gaussian process regression (GPR) and Minimax probability machine regression (MPMR) were developed to predict stress intensity factor range (𝚫K). Both GPR and MPMR are in the frame work of probability distribution. Models were developed by using the fatigue crack growth data in MATLAB by appropriately modifying the tools. Fatigue crack growth experiments were carried out on Eccentrically-loaded Single Edge notch Tension (ESE(T)) specimens made of API 5L X65 Grade steel in inert and corrosive environments (2.0% and 3.5% NaCl). The experiments were carried out under constant amplitude cyclic loading with a stress ratio of 0.1 and 5.0 Hz frequency (inert environment), 0.5 Hz frequency (corrosive environment). Crack growth rate (da/dN) and stress intensity factor range (𝚫K) values were evaluated at incremental values of loading cycle and crack length. About 70 to 75% of the data has been used for training and the remaining for validation of the models. It is observed that the predicted SIF range is in good agreement with the corresponding experimental observations. Further, the performance of the models was assessed with several statistical parameters, namely, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Coefficient of Efficiency (E), Root Mean Square Error to Observation's Standard Deviation Ratio (RSR), Normalized Mean Bias Error (NMBE), Performance Index (ρ) and Variance Account Factor (VAF).

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.1412-1422
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• 2016

Austenitic stainless steels (ASSs) are widely used for nuclear pipes as they exhibit a good combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, high tensile residual stresses may occur in ASS welds because postweld heat treatment is not generally conducted in order to avoid sensitization, which causes a stress corrosion crack. In this study, round robin analyses on stress intensity factors (SIFs) were carried out to examine the appropriateness of structural integrity assessment methods for ASS pipe welds with two types of circumferential cracks. Typical stress profiles were generated from finite element analyses by considering residual stresses and normal operating conditions. Then, SIFs of cracked ASS pipes were determined by analytical equations represented in fitness-for-service assessment codes as well as reference finite element analyses. The discrepancies of estimated SIFs among round robin participants were confirmed due to different assessment procedures and relevant considerations, as well as the mistakes of participants. The effects of uncertainty factors on SIFs were deducted from sensitivity analyses and, based on the similarity and conservatism compared with detailed finite element analysis results, the R6 code, taking into account the applied internal pressure and combination of stress components, was recommended as the optimum procedure for SIF estimation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.386-392
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• 2016

The sizes of last stage blades (LSB) in a low-pressure steam turbine have been getting larger for the development of high-capacity power plants. They are also larger than other blades in the same system. As a result, crack propagation in an LSB is caused by the large centrifugal force, low natural frequency, and repeated turbine startups. In this study, the critical crack length for a fracture and vibration characteristics, in accordance with crack propagation, were analyzed using a finite element method to calculate the stress intensity factor (SIF) and the natural frequency that was affected by the stress-stiffening effect. It was calculated that the frequency of the third and fifth modes passed the excited harmonic resonance (5X and 10X) and the observed calculated critical crack length matched that of the real fractured surface.