A stiffness independent Interfacial Thick Level Set method: A modified approach for crack analysis

Crack growth is an important failure mechanism in many engineering materials. Numerical models for crack growth have been developed within the framework of damage mechanics. All these models aim for the same goal, obtaining accurate results for crack growth under various loading conditions. Many damage models are based upon the cohesive crack...

Fracture Mechanics: Application on Orthotropic Steel Decks

In the course of this thesis, a research has been conducted to the application of fracture mechanics on an othotropic steel deck (OSD). Obtaining accurate predictions of crack path and fatigue life assessment were the main objectives for this thesis. As 3D crack propagation modelling in orthotropic steel decks is an arduous task, simpler studies...