Simulation of dynamic ductile crack growth using strain-rate and triaxiality-dependent cohesive elements

Rate-sensitive and triaxiality-dependent cohesive elements are used to simulate crack growth under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. The simulations are performed for a middle-cracked tension M(T) specimen made of an aluminum alloy (6XXX series). To consider the effect of stress triaxiality and strain rate on the cohesive properties, a single plane strain element obeying the constitutive equations of a rate-dependent Gurson type …