Fracture

Mechanics

Course No. MEE4110/ME419

Energy Release Rate of a DCB specimen
Introduction
• SERR can be obtained by knowing the variation of Compliance
with respect to crack length.
• For some cases, a relation between the applied force P and the
displacement u can be obtained by using field equation of solid
mechanics.
• Differentiating u/P and substituting in the compliance equation

𝑃2 𝑑𝐶
𝐺=
2𝐵 𝑑𝑎
SERR is evaluated...
MEE4110/ME419 Fracture Mechanics 2
Energy Release Rate of a DCB specimen
EXAMPLE
Determine the energy release rate for a double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen

MEE4110/ME419 Fracture Mechanics 3

Energy Release Rate of a DCB specimen
EXAMPLE
Solution: From beam theory

The elastic compliance is given by

We know that

Substituting C we get

MEE4110/ME419 Fracture Mechanics 4

Energy Release Rate of a DCB specimen
EXAMPLE
Determine the critical energy release rate for a double cantilever beam (DCB)
specimen loaded in a tensile testing machine. The thickness of the DCB specimen
is 30mm, depth of each cantilever 12mm and crack length 50mm. It is made of
hardened steel with the modulus of 207 GPa and the crack is about to propagate
at 15405N pulling load.
Given
Geometry
Thickness B = 30 mm
Depth h = 12 mm
Critical Crack Length ac = 50 mm

Loading
P = 15405 N

Material Properties
E = 207 GPa
MEE4110/ME419 Fracture Mechanics 5
Energy Release Rate of a DCB specimen
EXAMPLE
Solution: From the compliance equation we have

Since, crack length is critical crack length at critical load therefore we have

12𝑃2 𝑎2
𝐺𝐶 = 2 3
𝐵 ℎ 𝐸
12(15405)2 (50)2
=
(30)2 (12)3 (207 × 106 )

7119420750000
= = 0.0221
321926400000000

MEE4110/ME419 Fracture Mechanics 6

Energy Release Rate of a DCB specimen
EXAMPLE
Determine the shape of a DCB specimen if GI is to remain
constant with the growth of the crack. The specimen is
loaded in the constant load mode. Determine the depth h of
the specimen beyond the crack tip, if thickness of the
specimen remains constant (B =30mm). The initial crack
length is 50 mm. Modulus 207 GPa and depth of each
cantilever is 12mm upto the initial crack length.

MEE4110/ME419 Fracture Mechanics 7

MEE4110/ME419 Fracture Mechanics 8