Coupling Finite Element Analysis and the Theory of Critical Distances to Estimate Critical Loads in Al6060-T66 Tubular Beams Containing Notches

Abstract

This paper validates a methodology for the estimation of critical loads in tubular beams containing notch-type defects. The methodology is particularized for the case of Al6060-T66 tubular cantilever beams containing U-shaped notches. It consists in obtaining the stress field at the notch tip using finite element analysis (FEA) and the subsequent application of the theory of critical distances (TCD) to derive the corresponding critical load (or load-bearing capacity). The results demonstrate that this methodology provides satisfactory predictions of fracture loads.

Computational Methods for Fatigue and Fracture

“…The models, created from extruded meshes and capable of accounting for boundary effects, allowed the determination of crack direction and the critical region associated with the crack nucleation. Sánchez et al [4] determined the load-bearing capacity of tubular beams made of aluminium by applying the theory of critical distances and linear-elastic twodimensional finite element models. The proposed methodology has been successfully validated for cantilever beams with circumferential U-shaped notches, leading to errors in the predicted load-bearing capacity lower than ±20%.…”

Reliability Design of Mechanical Systems Such as Compressor Subjected to Repetitive Stresses

“…Carrying out an ALT [14,15] necessitates numerous notions such as the BX life for the system test scheme, a simplified life-stress description, sample size formulation, and fracture mechanics [16][17][18] because failure may happen suddenly from the fragile components in a product. Contemporary test techniques [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] might be hard to replicate the design flaws of components in a multi-module system because those procedures evaluate insufficient component samples and do not identify the fatigue(s) which actually occur in the marketplace.…”

Enhancing the Lifetime of the Pneumatic Cylinder in Automatic Assembly Line Subjected to Repeated Pressure Loading

“…To find the fatigue source of a mechanical product, a life-stress model can be used with traditional design procedures and related techniques to help identify the failure of electronic components due to material flaws or small cracks when the parts are subjected to (mechanical) stresses. Finite element methods (FEMs) may not identify the source of failure [22][23][24][25]. As an alternative, there are other methods such as structural health monitoring (SHM) that allow for the detection of the source of the failure [26].…”