Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

Work-Integrated Learning Programmes Division

Second Semester 2020-2021

Comprehensive Examination
(EC-3 Regular)

Course No. : AE ZG614

Course Title : FRACTURE MECHANICS
Nature of Exam : Open Book
Weightage : 40% No. of Pages =4
Duration : 2 Hours No. of Questions = 6
Date of Exam : Friday, 30/04/2021 (FN)
Note:
1. Please follow all the Instructions to Candidates given on the cover page of the answer book.
2. All parts of a question should be answered consecutively. Each answer should start from a fresh page.
3. Assumptions made if any, should be stated clearly at the beginning of your answer.

Q.1. A flat plate is subjected to remote stress σ∞, has a diamond shaped crack at the center as
shown in Figure 1. 'a' and 'b' are the major and minor axes of the diamond shaped crack.
Stresses at point P and Q are given by equations (1) and (2). If σQ = 3σP

Assume Linear elastic fracture mechanics assumptions to be valid

a) Express 'a' in terms of 'b' [4]

b) Find the value of ‘b’, when ‘a’ is maximum [4]

Figure 1
Q.2. A flat plate is subjected to remote stress, σ∞, has a fictitious elliptical crack at the center as
shown in Figure 2. 'a' is the major axes of the ellipse. The surface energy and the elastic
strain energy per unit of the plate is given by equations (3) and (4) respectively. Find the
failure stress, σf, required to propagate a crack in the material as a function of the size of the
crack. [6]

Figure 2
Q.3. A hypothetical engineering stress-strain curves is shown in Figure 3. Points A and D
represents the yield and fracture stress in MPa. Find the toughness of the material in MJ/m 3.
[6]

Figure 3

Q.4. An offshore structure experienced the following loading history in terms of stress ranges and
no of cycles as shown in Table 1. Determine the percentage fatigue life of the structure using
Miner's cumulative damage rule [5]

Sl. No Stress Range, Dσ No. of Applied Cycles, Ni No. of Cycles for Failure, Nf

1 6 90 15000

2 9 60 1200

3 12 30 600

Table 1
Q.5. A high temperature valve made up IS-2062 Steel is subjected to a stress, σ = 80 MPa at
operating at temperature, T = 1173 Kelvin. Use the Larson–Miller relation as given by
PLM = T [C + log (tr)], predict the time required to rupture, tr, for this valve. Assume, C=20
and use the relevant information from Figure 4. [5]

Figure 4

Q.6. A fatigue specimen has an inherent crack of length ao. It is acted by cycling loading. Using
Paris law as shown in equation (3). If C and P are the material constants, find the number of
cycles needs to be completed for the crack length to increases to af for the cases given below

a) C=2 and P=1 and ∆K= ∆σa [5]

b) C=1 and P=2 and [5]