Predicting the dynamic stress intensity factor for a circumferential crack in a hollow cylinder using fractal finite element method

Abstract

The fractal finite element method predicts very accurate stress intensity factor (SIF). The method has been developed to study all kinds of 2D cracks and penny shaped 3D cracks. In this paper we extend our previous study to include dynamic effects on the stress intensity factor. We present the calculation of dynamic mode I stress intensity factors for complete circumferential cracks on the inner surface of a hollow cylinder subjected to time dependent axisymmetric loading. The effect of damping is also presented. The precise time integration scheme is used to perform the time integration. Our numerical results show that the fractal finite element method together with the precise time step integration method give very accurate dynamic SIF. The analysis is important in gun barrel design and in the design of pressure vessels and piping systems subjected to dynamic loading.