Stress Corrosion Crack Growth Simulation by the Finite Element Method

Abstract

Stress corrosion crack growth in mild steel was investigated by using the finite element simulation method. A model simulating crack growth considered an edge crack located on the metal surface, under tensile remote stress acting on a sample. Numerical analysis was performed using the Code _Aster software to simulate crack growth. Three related variables were evaluated. K, dK/da and maximum stress. Values of these variables were recorded every 2 mm of the crack growth. Results showed an increase in the values of K and maximum stress, while there was a decrease in the values of dK/da, as the crack length increased. There was a good agreement between the results obtained analytically in the literature and numerically obtained here by using finite elements. The results obtained here are consistent with what has been obtained in most of the studies that have been conducted in this regard.