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Fracture mechanics

Strength calculation/fracture mechanics

Assessment of cracks, analysis of fractures, determination of remaining service life and performance of leak-before-fracture analyses.

Fracture mechanics analysis: safety and efficiency for your components

Fracture mechanics is a crucial area of engineering science that deals with the failure of cracked components and the propagation of cracks under static and dynamic loads until fracture. These analyses are essential to ensure the structural integrity and safety of components.

Types of crack loading

In fracture mechanics, a distinction is made between three main types of crack stress:

  • Opening stress 

This stress causes the crack flanks to open, as with a component under tensile or bending load, in which the crack runs perpendicular to the normal stress.

  • Displacement stress in the direction of crack propagation 

This is caused by shear loads and leads to an opposite displacement of the crack flanks in the direction of crack propagation.

  • Displacement stress transverse to the crack propagation direction

This stress causes a displacement of the crack flanks transverse to the crack propagation direction.

A combination of these stresses, known as mixed-mode stress, is analysed in detail by the engineers at DMT ENCOS. As component fatigue is often not visible, but fatigue cracks can be measured, the development of these cracks over time is crucial for assigning them to component stresses.

Software and expertise used

We use specialised software and tools for engineering analysis:

  • IWM VERB
  • SACC
  • Own developments

With over 25 years of experience, we deal with fracture mechanics tasks in various areas:

  • Evaluation of cracked components
  • Damage analyses of broken components
  • Damage tolerance analyses (remaining service life determinations, test interval determinations)
  • Leak-before-break analyses of internally pressurised components

Application areas and project references

Our expertise extends across numerous industries:

  • Power plant industry
  • Plant construction
  • Chemical industry
  • Process industry
  • Additive manufacturing (3D printing)

Benefits of a fracture mechanics analysis

There are numerous advantages to carrying out a fracture mechanics analysis:

  • Component remaining service life estimates: Minimisation of unscheduled plant shutdowns.
  • Test interval optimisation: Improvement of system availability.
  • Process and operating regime optimisations: More efficient utilisation of components.
  • Identification of weak points: Recognise and act before problems occur.

Active research and development projects

DMT ENCOS is actively involved in research and development projects and the development of guidelines for industrial applications. Further information can be found on the following pages under the heading - Research and development.

 

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Frank Dallmann

Frank Dallmann

Site Manager Greifswald, DMT ENCOS

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