Modelling fatigue transition behaviour of FRP in mode I block loading

According to experiments the fatigue damage behaviour of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) experiences a load sequence effect. In this report the ability of the cohesive fatigue damage model of Dávila (2020) to simulate the behaviour after a load amplitude change is investigated. For this a double cantilever beam (DCB) with fictitious material...

Modelling fatigue crack propagation in coped beams using XFEM

In the past years, the safety of steel railway bridges has been questioned due to the coped beam connection sensitivity to fatigue and fatigue crack appearance. To ensure the safety of these railway bridges, the propagation of the fatigue crack needs to be analysed by performing regular inspection on the bridges. The frequency of these is...

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...

Prediction of Fatigue Crack Growth and Damage Directionality in Non-Conventional Fibre Metal Laminates

This thesis presents a model that is able to predict fatigue crack growth and damage directionality in non-conventional Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs) in CentreCracked Tension (CCT) specimens. Non-conventional FMLs encompass all FMLs other than standardised ones such as GLARE. FMLs can be made non-conventional by using multiple fibre types, any...

On the Development of a Volumetric Acoustic Emission Fatigue Crack Monitoring System

Research into multi-axial fatigue requires knowledge on the through time and thickness development of the propagating crack front. In order to provide this knowledge methods must be developed to monitor crack initiation and growth during a fatigue test. The acoustic emission method has been recognised as a possible means to this end. <br/...