Numerical Study on Fracture Parameters for Slit Specimens for Al2124 and Micro-alloyed Steel

This paper analyses a notched metallic specimen using the finite element method in ABAQUS CAE. The conditions of a tension test are simulated, and the specimen is subjected to uniaxial tensile loading by imposing strain rate. Contact criteria is applied between the reference node of loading pins and the specimen, and then, the load is applied on the top-loading pin keeping the bottom pin fixed. CPS8R plane stress element type is used to define the mesh. The classical metal plasticity theory is used in the present simulation, and the load-crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) of two different materials, aluminium alloy Al2124 and micro-alloyed steel, are compared. Further, the stress developed on the specimens at the notched tip in x- and y-directions are also compared. The change observed in the behaviour of specimen upon varying its thickness is analysed by computing load–displacement diagrams. The results obtained from simulation are later compared to empirical data, and results are matched, with error within limits. Thus, the process, described in the paper, eliminates the necessity to conduct experiments as the behaviour, and properties of any material can be estimated using finite element method.