Application of cohesive zone model in crack propagation analysis in multiphase composite materials

ABSTRACT

A nonlinear cohesive stress distribution function is employed by relating the cohesive stress to the cohesive zone size (CZS) and the distance from the crack tip to investigate the elastic-plastic fracture behaviors. A crack-inclusion interaction problem is taken as an example to explore the fracture process in the cohesive zone area. The CZS and crack surface opening displacement are evaluated numerically. It is found that for different cohesive parameter combinations, the normalized CZS and crack surface opening displacements change drastically. By reducing the current model to the famous Dugdale model, the results obtained match well with the existing ones.

KEYWORDS:

• Griffith crack
• nonlinear cohesive stress distribution
• crack-inclusion interaction
• cohesive zone size
• crack surface opening displacement