Three-dimensional damage theory of crack growth in large centre-cracked panels using the element removal technique

Abstract The conventional use of continuum ductile damage mechanics in finite element analysis identifies the crack tip or crack front by some criterion which, on the basis of developing parameters, deems a certain region to be cracked. In the region deemed to be cracked there is thus only a reduction in stresses, which thereafter falls continually. This paper incorporates in the damage model for both two and three dimensions, a facility which enables elements to be ‘switched off’ ehind the predicted crack front so that the stresses there are zero. A three-dimensional finite element analysis using this element removal scheme is performed to predict the deformation of centre-cracked panels under uniaxial and equibiaxial loading and to study the applicability of this scheme.