Chapter 5 - Plastic Zone

Fracture
Mechanics
Chapter 5
The main Fracture parameters
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY
Chapter 5 – Plastic Zone
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY
Simple corrections to linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) are available when
moderate crack-tip yielding occurs. The size of the crack-tip-yielding zone can be
estimated by two methods: the Irwin approach, where the elastic stress analysis is
used to estimate the elastic-plastic boundary, and the strip-yield model.
THE IRWIN APPROACH

On the crack plane (θ = 0), the normal stress σyy in a linear elastic material is given by
Equation
we can assume that the boundary between elastic and plastic behavior occurs when the
stresses given by Equation (2.39) satisfy a yield criterion. For plane stress conditions,
yielding occurs when σyy = σYS,
solving for r gives a first-order estimate of the plastic zone size:

 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - THE IRWIN APPROACH
The simple analysis in the preceding paragraph is not strictly correct because it was
based on an elastic crack-tip solution. When yielding occurs, stresses must redistribute
in order to satisfy equilibrium. The cross-hatched region in Figure 2.29 represents
forces that would be present in an elastic material but cannot be carried in the elastic-
plastic material because the stress cannot exceed the yield. The plastic zone must
increase in size in order to accommodate these forces. A simple force balance leads to a
second-order estimate of the plastic zone size rp:
F=*A
Referring to Figure 2.29, the material in the plastic zone carries less stress than it would
otherwise carry if the material remained elastic. Irwin [23] accounted for the softer
material in the plastic zone by defining an effective crack length that is slightly longer
than the actual crack size.
The effective crack length is defined as the sum of the actual crack size and a plastic
zone correction:
where ry for plane stress is given by
In plane strain, yielding is suppressed by the triaxial stress state, and the Irwin plastic
zone correction is smaller by a factor of 3:
 Basic method is elastic (LEFM)

 All cracks have a local plastic/damage zone
rr
 Let sc be the zone stress
Plastic-zone correction. The

effective crack length is (a + ry).
The effective stress intensity is obtained by inserting aeff into the K expression for the
geometry of interest:
One interpretation of the Irwin plastic zone adjustment is that of an effective

compliance. At a given load P, the displacement for the plate with a plastic zone is
greater than that of the elastic plate; referring to Figure 2.30, Δ2 > Δ1. One can define
an effective compliance as follows:
Constant load
Plastic plate
Elastic plate
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - THE STRIP-YIELD MODEL
The strip-yield model, which is illustrated in Figure 2.31, was first proposed by
Dugdale [24] and Barenblatt [25]. They assumed a long, slender plastic zone at the
crack tip in a nonhardening material in plane stress. This model approximates elastic-
plastic behavior by superimposing two elastic solutions: a through crack under remote
tension and a through crack with closure stresses at the tip.
Since the stresses are finite in the strip-yield zone, there cannot be a stress
singularity at the crack tip. The plastic zone length ρ must be chosen such that the
stress intensity factors from the remote tension and closure stress cancel one
another.
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - THE STRIP-YIELD MODEL
Thus, the total stress intensity at each crack tip resulting from the closure stresses is
obtained by :
The stress intensity from the remote tensile stress, , must balance with
Kclosure. Therefore, the plastic zone size gives
One way to estimate the effective stress intensity with the strip-yield model is to set aeff
equal to (a + ρ):
 CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - COMPARISON OF PLASTIC ZONE CORRECTIONS
 Figure shows a comparison

between a pure LEFM analysis, the
Irwin correction for plane stress,
and the strip-yield correction on
stress intensity .
 Both the Irwin and strip-yield corrections

deviate from the LEFM theory at stresses
greater than 0.5σYS.
 The two plasticity corrections agree with
each other up to approximately 0.85σYS.
 The plastic zone shape predicted by the
strip-yield model bears little resemblance
to actual plastic zones in metals.
 Thus, although Dugdale originally
proposed the strip-yield model to account
for yielding in thin steel sheets, this model
is better suited to polymers
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - PLASTIC ZONE SHAPE
Consider the von Mises equation:
yielding occurs when σe = σYS, and the principal stresses can be computed from
the two-dimensional Mohr’s circle relationship:
for plane stress,

for plane strain
 The corresponding equations for Modes II and III are plotted in Figure 2.34(b) define
the approximate boundary between elastic and plastic behavior.
 Equation (2.85a) and Equation (2.85b) are not strictly correct because they are based
on a purely elastic analysis.
 Equation (2.85a) and Equation (2.85b) are not strictly correct because they are based
on a purely elastic analysis.
 CRACK-TIP CONSTRAINT UNDER LARGE-SCALE YIELDING
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY - Plasticity and Size Effects
How can determine the plain stress or stress

Plane stress
z Kc
b
rb Plane strain
bc
Gc & Kc are dependent on Constraint
Lowest values are for Plane strain, ez=0

in the plastic zone, i.e. lateral constraint.
Highest values are for Plane stress, sz=0

For b >> rr, ez=0, plane strain
For b ≈ rr , sz=0, plane stress
Transition: Kc 2
bc  2.5( )
c
b < bc high value
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY – Three dimension Plastic zone
CRACK-TIP PLASTICITY – Three dimension Plastic zone

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Fracture

THE IRWIN APPROACH

solving for r gives a first-order estimate of the plastic zone size:

where ry for plane stress is given by

 Basic method is elastic (LEFM)

 Let sc be the zone stress

Plastic-zone correction. The

One interpretation of the Irwin plastic zone adjustment is that of an effective

 Figure shows a comparison

 Both the Irwin and strip-yield corrections

for plane stress,

for plane strain

How can determine the plain stress or stress

How can determine the plain stress or stress

Gc & Kc are dependent on Constraint

Lowest values are for Plane strain, ez=0

Highest values are for Plane stress, sz=0

How can determine the plain stress or stress

For b >> rr, ez=0, plane strain

For b ≈ rr , sz=0, plane stress

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