A finite element investigation of the effect of crack tip constraint on hole growth under mode i and mixed mode loading

In this work\ the e}ect of constraint on hole growth near a notch tip in a ductile material under mode I and mixed mode loading "involving modes I and II# is investigated[ To this end\ a 1!D plane strain\ modi_ed boundary layer formulation is employed in which the mixed mode elastic K T _eld is prescribed as remote boundary conditions[ A _nite element procedure that accounts for _nite deformations and rotations is used along with an appropriate version of J1 ~ow theory of plasticity with small elastic strains[ Several analyses are carried out corresponding to di}erent values of T!stress and remote elastic mode!mixity[ The interaction between the notch and hole is studied by examining the distribution of hydrostatic stress and equivalent plastic strain in the ligament between the notch tip and the hole\ as well as the growth of the hole[ The implications of the above results on ductile fracture initiation due to micro!void coalescence are discussed