Finite element analysis of cracked elastic bodies under unsteady translation and rotation (Q1310677)

The broad objective of the investigations is the accurate finite element computation of stress intensity factors in cracked elastic bodies under steady or unsteady translational and rotational loads. Applications of interest include fatigue under adverse environments, such as stall in turbomachinery and critical speeds in elastic mechanisms. The enriched element formulation of \textit{L. N. Gifford} and \textit{P. D. Hilton} [Eng. Fract. Mech. 10, 485-496 (1978)] has been extended to include inertial, centrifugal, Coriolis and angular acceleration effects, and to include mode III (tearing), which is coupled to modes I and II under unsteady rotation. The centrifugal and angular acceleration effects are fully coupled to the displacements. A finite element code by \textit{L. N. Gifford} [Naval Ship R \& D Center Rep., DTNSRDC--79/023 (1979)] for static problems in modes I and II has been thoroughly rewritten and expanded to implement the dynamic features and mode III. The code implements the Newmark method for time integration, and a non-symmetric `wave front' solver. The elements are validated by comparison with several benchmark problems.