Crack growth simulation in thin plate using simplified strain based damage model

In this study, a simple strain based damage model is applied to simulate the ductile crack growth in thin 590 MPa class steel plates with notch and hole. The model depends only on the stress triaxiality and has two parameters. Determination of two parameters is straightforward by analyzing the tensile test results of flat plate specimen and plate specimen with sharp notches. The determined damage model is then applied to simulate the crack growth in other two types of test specimens containing plates with hole and notch, and a good agreement between the simulated and experimental results is obtained. It is found that the simulation results are primarily affected by the in-plane element size in the crack growth direction. On the other hand, the out-of-plane element size does not affect simulation results. It is found that the use of an in-plane element size of 0.1 mm or less is appropriate.