kcalc#

SpecialPurpose.kcalc(kplan='', mat='', kcsym='', klocpr='', **kwargs)#

Calculates stress intensity factors in fracture mechanics analyses.

Mechanical APDL Command: KCALC

Parameters:
kplanint or str

Key to indicate stress state for calculation of stress intensity factors:

  • 0 - Plane strain and axisymmetric condition (default).

  • 1 - Plane stress condition.

matstr

Material number used in the extrapolation (defaults to 1).

kcsymint or str

Symmetry key:

  • 0 or 1 - Half-crack model with symmetry boundary conditions ( dsym ]) in the crack-tip coordinate system. K:sub:II = K:sub:III = 0. Three nodes are required on the path.

  • 2 - Like 1 except with antisymmetric boundary conditions (K:sub:I = 0).

  • 3 - Full-crack model (both faces). Five nodes are required on the path (one at the tip and two on each face).

klocprint or str

Local displacements print key:

  • 0 - Do not print local crack-tip displacements.

  • 1 - Print local displacements used in the extrapolation technique.

Notes

Calculates the stress intensity factors (K:sub:I, K:sub:II, and K:sub:III ) associated with homogeneous isotropic linear elastic fracture mechanics.

A displacement extrapolation method is used in the calculation. (See POST1 - Crack Analysis (KCALC) KPLAN = 1.

The program uses minor Poisson’s ratio ( mp,NUXY) for the stress intensity factor calculation.

Issue the path and ppath commands to define a path with the crack face nodes ( NODE1 at the crack tip, NODE2 and NODE3 on one face, NODE4 and NODE5 on the other (optional) face).

A crack-tip coordinate system, having x parallel to the crack face (and perpendicular to the crack front) and y perpendicular to the crack face, must be the active rsys and csys before kcalc is issued.

Warning

This command is archived in the latest version of the software.