Local approach to fracture for cleavage crack arrest prediction

Crack arrest can complement the crack initiation concept to assess integrity of structures. This paper deals with the application of a local approach model derived from the RKR model to predict cleavage crack propagation and arrest in thermal shock experiments performed on pre-cracked discs made of a low alloy bainitic steel. The numerical procedure takes into account dynamic effects and an accurate behavior law for the material. Simulations with a crack speed criterion help the identification of the critical stress criterion. The results show a good prediction of the crack jump when a 3D modeling is used.