An analysis of fracture under biaxial loading using the finite element method

TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 563/1996

R M Andrews

Many engineering structures are subject to biaxial loading, but fracture toughness test methods and assessment procedures assume uniaxial loading. A series of biaxial wide plate fracture tests have been carried out previously on surface cracked and centre cracked panels showing varying effects of biaxial loads.

This project used non-linear finite element analysis methods to predict the effect of biaxiality on fracture behaviour.