LEFM Analysis of V-Notched Aluminum Plates Using Higher-Order Layerwise Model

Higher-order layerwise model is proposed to determine stress intensity factors using virtual crack closure technique for V-notched plates. Present method is based on p-convergent approach and adopts the concept of subparametric element. In assumed displacement field, strain-displacement relations and 3-D constitutive equations of a layer are obtained by combination of 2-D and 1-D higher-order shape functions. Thus, it allows independent implementation of p-refinement for in-plane and transversal displacements. In the proposed elements, the integrals of Legendre polynomials and Gauss-Lobatto technique are employed to interpolate displacement fields and to implement numerical quadrature, respectively.