Two-step linear elastic finite element analysis: a new approach for evaluating fracture toughness for CNT specimens

摘要

In this paper, a new methodology involving a two-step linear elastic finite element analysis is proposed to evaluate K_(IC) for CNT specimens. A number of specimens of various materials were analysed and the values of K_(IC)rnare found to be in close agreement with values obtained experimentally. A convergence study was undertaken to study the sensitivity of stress intensity factor (SIF) with mesh attributes and the solution was found to converge well.