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Experimental study of crack growth in thin sheet 2024-T3 aluminum under tension-torsion loading

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Abstract

To assess the viability of using a critical COD criterion for flaws in 2024-T3 aluminum experiencing tension stresses (S P) and torsion stresses (S T), the enclosed work presents (a) a complete set of measurements for critical COD during crack growth under nominal tension-torsion loading, (b) the evolution of crack path with crack growth and (c) crack surface shape as a function of loading. Data from this work will provide an important experimental database for use in assessing the predictive capability of advanced, three-dimensional, crack growth simulation tools. Results for COD during crack growth under tension-torsion loading indicates that the measured critical COD for tension-torsion loading is constant during crack growth. In addition, the value of COD measured using image correlation methods is approximately 8% larger than observed for in-plane tension-shear, with much of the increase apparently due to specimen deformations in the crack tip vicinity. In addition, crack path evolution data for the range of S T/S P considered in this work show that the crack experiences both tunneling and slant fracture during loading, with tunneling rapidly decreasing (a) as crack growth progresses for all S T/S P values or (b) as S T/S P increases. Furthermore, results indicate that tearing during tension-torsion loading always occurs in a manner so that the crack surfaces tend to interfere during growth. Finally, crack surface shape data indicates that, with the exception of a small secondary transition, the direction of crack growth remains stable along a straight line oriented along the initial fatigue crack direction for the range of S T/S P being considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    Michael A. Sutton

  2. Correlated Solutions, Inc., 952 Sunset Blvd, West Columbia, SC, 29169, USA

    Jeffrey D. Helm

  3. Westinghouse Nuclear, Buff River Road, Columbia, SC, 29250, USA

    Michael L. Boone

Authors
  1. Michael A. Sutton
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  2. Jeffrey D. Helm
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  3. Michael L. Boone
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Sutton, M.A., Helm, J.D. & Boone, M.L. Experimental study of crack growth in thin sheet 2024-T3 aluminum under tension-torsion loading. International Journal of Fracture 109, 285–301 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011014917851

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