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Damage Mechanics and Local Approach to Fracture

A short course with a focus on metallic structures under monotonic loading without excluding ceramics, concrete or fatigue.

Date: Mai 25 - 28, 2010.
Local approach to fracture is based on a detailed mechanical analysis of strains, stresses and damage in highly solicited zones (cracks, notches,...) in structures. The increase of damage is described using constitutive equations coupling plasticity and degradation.These material models are implemented in finite element softwares so that crack initiation and propagation can be potentially described. Model parameters must be adjusted on potentially complex experiments involving crack growth. The fitted model can then be used to describe cracking in complex structures. Numerical problems caused by material softening included in the constitutive equations still limit the application of the methodology.

Models for the prediction of failure of cracked structures and components were first proposed in the 50's based on linear fracture mechanics and principles first developed by Griffith (1920). This approach was then extended to  non linear cases (plasticity of viscoplasticity) in the 70's based on the work by Rice (J or C* integral). This approach (referred to as global approach to fracture) was widely accepted in industry and is still under development. However it cannot deal with all industrial  cases and cannot explain some observed experimental trends. Its application in industry sometimes leads to very conservative estimates. Local approach to fracture is an alternative methodology which allow to cope with some problems met when using  global approach. It is currently mostly developed in Europe (France and Germany), United States and Japan.

The course will present a state of the art review of: (i) constitutive equations for damage, (ii) numerical implementation, (iii) identification strategies and mechanical testing, (iv) simulation involving crack extension, (v)  main research efforts currently carried out to develop the methodology.  The course will mainly focus on metallic structures under monotonic loading without excluding ceramics, concrete or fatigue. Coupling with other physical phenomena (e.g. stress corrosion cracking) is not within the scope of the program.

Click here for the full program in PDF.

The course will be given in French or, if non-french speaking participants are present, in English. All the supporting material is in English.

The Materials Ageing Institute research program focuses on the understanding of ageing mechanisms relevant for nuclear power plant lifetime management. The institute therefore disposes of a wide range of experimental facilities, where among primary and secondary circuit simulators (loops) and a microscopy laboratory, which hosts the most power Transmission Electron Microscope of the world, the FEI TITAN. During the course, the participants will visit a selection of the experimental facilities of the MAI installed at the Renardières site.

Registration

Registration fees:

  • Free for students (up to Master Degree, M1 and M2)
  • 150 € for academic participants and Ph.D. students
  • 300 € for industrial or non-academic participants

The fee includes administrative costs, coffee breaks and lunches. Transportation from the railway station (Moret-Veneux) or from Fontainebleau is taken care of by the MAI. Hotel costs are not included. To registre, please fill in this form (version française ici) and send it to register@themai.org before April 15, 2010

Organizer of the course: Jacques Besson (Mines-ParisTech).
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