• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.301-311
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• 2024

This paper proposes a deep convolutional long short-term memory (ConvLSTM)-based crack growth prediction technique for predictive maintenance of structures. Since cracks are one of the critical damage types in a structure, their regular inspection has been mandatory for structural safety and serviceability. To effectively establish the structural maintenance plan using the inspection results, crack propagation or growth prediction is essential. However, conventional crack prediction techniques based on mathematical models are not typically suitable for tracking complex nonlinear crack propagation mechanism on civil structures under harsh environmental conditions. To address the technical issue, a field data-driven crack growth prediction technique using ConvLSTM is newly proposed in this study. The proposed technique consists of the four steps: (1) time-series crack image acquisition, (2) target image stabilization, (3) deep learning-based crack detection and quantification and (4) crack growth prediction. The performance of the proposed technique is experimentally validated using a concrete mock-up specimen by applying step-wise bending loads to generate crack growth. The validation test results reveal the prediction accuracy of 94% on average compared with the ground truth obtained by field measurement.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1536-1544
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• 1992

A relatively simple prediction method is proposed for initially semicircular surface crack growth under axial loading. The method takes into account the difference in surface crack closure behavior at the depth point and at the surface intersection point, and also the relationship of crack closure for surface crack and through-thickness crack. The prediction method provides conservative estimation for fatigue life within factor of two, and the predicted crack geometry variations agree well with the observed results. As a result, the prediction method proposed here is considered to be useful for engineering application.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.112-122
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• 1995

In this work, prediction of fatigue life and fatigue crack growth are studied. 4th order polynominal function is presented to describe the crack growth behaviors from artifical pit of SM45C steel. Crack growth curves obtained from 4th order polyminal growth equations are in good agreement with experimental data The crack growth behaviors at arbitrary stress levels and investigated by the concept of elastic-plastic fracture mechanics using ${\Delta}J$. Fatigue life prediction are carried out by numerical integral method. Prediction lives obtained by proposed method in this study, is in good agreement with the experimental ones. Life prediction results calculated by using of ${\Delta}J$ better than those of ${\Delta}K$.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1989-1995
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• 2004

Finite element analysis(FEA) is the most popular numerical method to simulate plasticity-induced fatigue crack closure and can predict fatigue crack closure behavior. Finite element analysis under plane stress state using 4-node isoparametric elements is performed to investigate the detailed closure behavior of fatigue cracks and the numerical results are compared with experimental results. The mesh of constant size elements on the crack surface can not correctly predict the opening level for fatigue crack as shown in the previous works. The crack opening behavior for the size mesh with a linear change shows almost flat stress level after a crack tip has passed by the monotonic plastic zone. The prediction of crack opening level presents a good agreement with published experimental data regardless of stress ratios, which are using the mesh of the elements that are in proportion to the reversed plastic zone size considering the opening stress intensity factors. Numerical interpolation results of finite element analysis can precisely predict the crack opening level. This method shows a good agreement with the experimental data regardless of the stress ratios and kinds of materials.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Mechanical Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.31-37
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• 2011

Sheet aluminum alloys have been used in manufacturing of machine structures. In fatigue crack propagation behavior of thin sheet aluminum alloys, it is important that fatigue crack growth rate is affected by crack closure phenomenon. In this work, we analyzed the characteristics of fatigue crack propagation behavior in experiment of constant stress condition for thin sheet Al 2024-T3 alloys, and identified the retardation behavior of crack growth by comparing experimental results of thin and thick plate specimen. We attempt to operate the fatigue life estimating process using the fatigue related material constants from referred fatigue crack propagation analysis. And we analyzed the experimental and prediction results of fatigue life of thin sheet aluminum alloy in order to identify the relation between retardation behavior of fatigue crack growth and crack closure phenomenon.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.143-168
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• 2015

Initiation of crack and its growth simulation requires accurate model of traction - separation law. Accurate modeling of traction-separation law remains always a great challenge. Atomistic simulations based prediction has great potential in arriving at accurate traction-separation law. The present paper is aimed at establishing a method to address the above problem. A method for traction-separation law prediction via utilizing atomistic simulations data has been proposed. In this direction, firstly, a simpler approach of common neighbor analysis (CNA) for the prediction of crack growth has been proposed and results have been compared with previously used approach of threshold potential energy. Next, a scheme for prediction of crack speed has been demonstrated based on the stable crack growth criteria. Also, an algorithm has been proposed that utilizes a variable relaxation time period for the computation of crack growth, accurate stress behavior, and traction-separation atomistic law. An understanding has been established for the generation of smoother traction-separation law (including the effect of free surface) from a huge amount of raw atomistic data. A new curve fit has also been proposed for predicting traction-separation data generated from the molecular dynamics simulations. The proposed traction-separation law has also been compared with the polynomial and exponential model used earlier for the prediction of traction-separation law for the bulk materials.

• Journal of the korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.65-75
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• 1992

An analytical scheme for predicting the crack aspect pattern of materials which contain twin surface cracks was developed. Fatigue tests were performed on twin surface cracked PMMA plate specimens to obtain the interaction factor accounting for the interference effect of adjacent cracks. Here, the interaction factor is defined as the ratio of the stress intensity factor for twin surface cracks to that for a single surface crack. From the analysis of the fatigue test result, the interaction factor was presented as the ninth-order polynomial expression having a function of dimensionless crack spacing ratio. Then the polynomial expression was incorporated into the prediction program of the crack aspect pattern for twin surface cracked materials. And, the interaction effect and the coalescence condition of adjacent cracks were simplified in the newly developed prediction scheme of the crack aspect pattern. The predicted crack growth pattern using the prediction scheme was compared with test data from PMMA specimen. The predicted pattern agreed well with the test data.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.24 no.2 s.191
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• pp.103-109
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• 2007

In fatigue life prediction, it is important that fatigue life is affected by crack closure phenomenon in thin sheet Al alloy. In this research, we attempt to (1)analyze the characteristics of fatigue crack propagation in constant loading condition for thin sheet Al 2024-T3 alloy which is generally used in transportation structures, (2)identify the crack closure phenomenon in thin sheet comparing experimental results of thin and thick sheet specimen under same fatigue loading condition. In using the fatigue related material constants from these fatigue crack propagation analysis, we attempt to (3)operate the fatigue life estimating process with considering crack closure phenomenon and (4)analyze the experimental and prediction results of fatigue life in thin sheet Al alloy.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.73 no.4
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• pp.455-462
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• 2020

The hybrid method using the extended finite element method (XFEM) and the forward Euler approach is widely employed to predict the fatigue life of plate structures. Due to the accuracy of the forward Euler approach is determined by a small step size, the performance of fatigue life prediction of the hybrid method is not agreeable. Instead the forward Euler approach, a prediction method using midpoint method and support vector regression (SVR) is presented to evaluate the stress intensity factors (SIFs) and the fatigue life. Firstly, the XFEM is employed to calculate the SIFs with given crack sizes. Then use the history of SIFs as a function of either number of fatigue life cycles or crack sizes within the current cycle to build a prediction model. Finally, according to the prediction model predict the SIFs at different crack sizes or different cycles. Three numerical cases composed by a homogeneous plate with edge crack, a composite plate with edge crack and center crack are introduced to verify the performance of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method enables large step sizes without sacrificing accuracy. The method is expected to predict the fatigue life of complex structures.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.141-146
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• 2000

Crack closure and growth behavior of physically short fatigue cracks under random loading are investigated by performing narrow- and wide-band random loading tests for various stress ratios. The importance of the crack closure phenomenon is examined by predicting the growth lives of short cracks using obtained crack opening behavior. Artificially prepared two-dimensional, short through-thickness cracks are used. The crack opening load of short cracks is much lower under random loading than under constant-amplitude loading corresponding to the largest load cycle in a random load history. This result indicates that the largest load cycle in a random load history has an effect to enhance crack opening of short cracks. Most of the life prediction ratios are within the factor of 2 scatter band except several data at very short crack sizes, indicating that crack growth predictions based on the measured crack opening data are excellent. From the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that crack closure is the primary factor governing fatigue crack growth of short cracks under random loading as well as under constant-amplitude loading.