QUIZ MS201

Elementary Fracture Mechanics

Lucas Montogue

PROBLEMS
▐ Problem 1 (Broek, 1988)
Given a toughness of 𝐾𝐾 = 66 ksi-in.1/2 and a collapse strength equal to the
yield strength 𝜎𝜎𝑌𝑌 = 72 ksi, determine the residual strength of a center cracked plate
of 20-in. width with a crack of 2𝑎𝑎 = 8 in., labeled plate 1, and a center cracked plate
of 2-in. width with a crack of 2𝑎𝑎 = 1 in, labeled plate 2. Will any of the plates
collapse?

A) Neither plate will collapse.

B) Plate 1 will collapse, whereas plate 2 will not collapse.
C) Plate 2 will collapse, whereas plate 1 will not collapse.
D) Both plates will collapse.

▐ Problem 2 (Broek, 1988)

Calculate the fracture toughness of a material for which a plate test with a
central crack with the following information: plate width = 20 in., plate thickness =
0.8 in., crack width 2𝑎𝑎 = 2 in., failure load 𝑃𝑃 = 250 kip, yield strength 𝜎𝜎𝑌𝑌 = 70 ksi.
True or false?

1.( ) The stress intensity factor for the loading conditions is greater than 32 ksi-in.1/2
2.( ) The plate is under plane strain conditions per the ASTM criterion.
3.( ) The size of the plastic zone is greater than 7.5×10-3 in.

■ Problem 3.1 (Broek, 1988)

The test record for a 150 ksi yield strength steel has been obtained from
the compact tension specimens indicating a 𝑃𝑃5 load of 48,200 lb and a maximum
load of 50,200 lb as 𝑃𝑃max . Calculate the plane-strain fracture toughness 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 if the
specimen has width 𝑤𝑤 = 5 in., thickness 𝐵𝐵 = 1.8 in., and crack size 𝑎𝑎 = 2 in. Given 𝛼𝛼
= 𝑎𝑎/𝑤𝑤, use the dimensionless geometric factor

a
f   = 29.6α 0.5 − 185.5α 1.5 + 655.7α 2.5 − 1017α 3.5 + 639α 4.5
 w C

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A) 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼 = 23.2 ksi-in.1/2
B) 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼 = 45.4 ksi-in.1/2
C) 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼 = 60.9 ksi-in.1/2
D) 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼 = 87.8 ksi-in.1/2
■ Problem 3.2
For the compact-tension (CT) test to yield a valid estimate of the fracture
toughness of the specimen, the following conditions must be satisfied.
1. Plane strain conditions must hold, that is, 𝐵𝐵 ≥ 2.5(𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 /𝜎𝜎𝑌𝑌 )2;
2. The ratio of 𝐵𝐵 to the size of the plastic zone 𝑟𝑟𝑦𝑦 must be greater than about 50.
3. The ratio of 𝑎𝑎 to the size of the plastic zone 𝑟𝑟𝑦𝑦 must be greater than about 50.
4. The ratio of the maximum load to the 𝑃𝑃5 load should be less than 1.10.
How many of these requirements are satisfied for the conditions introduced
in Problem 3.1?
A) All four requirements are satisfied.
B) Only three requirements are satisfied.
C) Only two requirements are satisfied.
D) Only one requirement is satisfied.

■ Problem 4.1 (Dowling, 2013, w/permission)

A stiffener in aircraft structure is a T-section, as shown below, and is made
of 7075-T561 aluminum. A crack of length 𝑎𝑎 may be present on the bottom of the
web as shown. A bending moment of 180 N∙m is applied about the 𝑥𝑥-axis, such that
the crack is subjected to tensile stresses. To enable stress calculations, locate the 𝑦𝑦-
centroid of the T-section and its area moment of inertia about the centroidal 𝑥𝑥-axis.
If the crack has length 𝑎𝑎 = 1.5 mm, what is the safety factor against brittle fracture?
The fracture toughness of 7075-T561 aluminum is 29 MPa-m1/2.

A) 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝐾𝐾 = 1.44
B) 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝐾𝐾 = 2.59
C) 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝐾𝐾 = 3.79
D) 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝐾𝐾 = 4.56
■ Problem 4.2
What is the largest crack length that can be permitted if a safety factor
against brittle fracture of 3.0 is considered adequate?
A) 𝑎𝑎max = 1.11 mm
B) 𝑎𝑎max = 2.34 mm
C) 𝑎𝑎max = 3.09 mm
D) 𝑎𝑎max = 4.06 mm
■ Problem 4.3
Consider the possibility of changing the material to the more expensive
7475-T7351 aluminum alloy, which has a fracture toughness of 52 MPa-m1/2.
What are the possible advantages and disadvantages of making this change?
Support your comments with calculations where possible.

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▐ Problem 5 (Dowling, 2013, w/permission)
A tube having inner radius 𝑟𝑟1 = 45 mm and outer radius 𝑟𝑟2 = 50 mm is
subjected to a bending moment of 8.0 kN∙m. It is made of annealed titanium 6Al-
4V, which has a fracture toughness of 66 MPa-m1/2 and a yield strength of 925
MPa. As shown in the figure, the tube has a through-wall crack of width 2𝑎𝑎 = 10
mm, located at an angle 𝜃𝜃 = 50o relative to the bending axis. Estimate the safety
factor for brittle failure and the safety factor for fully plastic yielding.

A) 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝐾𝐾 = 1.51 and 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝑌𝑌 = 2.54

B) 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝐾𝐾 = 1.51 and 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝑌𝑌 = 5.21
C) 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝐾𝐾 = 3.04 and 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝑌𝑌 = 2.54
D) 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝐾𝐾 = 3.04 and 𝐹𝐹𝑆𝑆𝑌𝑌 = 5.21

▐ Problem 6 (Hertzberg et al., 2013, w/ permission)

A thin-walled pressure vessel 1.25-cm thick originally contained a small
semicircular flaw or radius 0.25 cm located at the inner surface and oriented normal
to the hoop stress direction. Repeated pressure cycling enabled the crack to grow
larger. If the fracture toughness of the material is 88 MPa-m1/2, the yield strength
equal to 825 MPa, and the hoop stress equal to 275 MPa, would the vessel leak
before it ruptured?
α) The vessel would leak before rupturing.
β) The vessel would rupture without leaking first.
γ) There is not enough information.

■ Problem 7.1 (Hertzberg et al., 2013, w/ permission)

An unreinforced polymeric pressure vessel is constructed with a diameter 𝑑𝑑
= 0.44 m and a length 𝐿𝐿 = 2 m. The vessel is designed to be capable of withstanding
an internal pressure of 𝑝𝑝 = 7 MPa at a nominal hoop stress of 70 MPa. However, in
service the vessel bursts at an internal pressure of only 3.5 MPa, and a failure
investigation reveals that the failure was initiated by a manufacturing-induced
semicircular internal crack 2.5 mm in radius. Based on the original design criteria,
compute the fracture toughness of the material used. You may assume that it is a
thin-walled vessel for this calculation, even though this may not be true.
A) 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 0.471 MPa-m1/2
B) 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 2.21 MPa-m1/2
C) 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 4.05 MPa-m1/2
D) 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 6.18 MPa-m1/2
■ Problem 7.2
Given the following materials to choose among, is it possible for this
pressure vessel to meet a leak-before-break criterion at the original design stress
without reinforcing the polymer or changing the vessel dimensions?

Polymer PMMA PC PVC PET

𝑲𝑲𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰 (𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌√𝐦𝐦) 1.65 3.2 3.8 5.0

A) All four polymers can be used to satisfy these criteria.

B) Only PC, PVC, and PET would satisfy these criteria.
C) Only PVC and PET would satisfy these criteria.
D) Only PET would satisfy these criteria.

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▐ Problem 8 (Hertzberg et al., 2013, w/ permission)
A 3 cm-diameter penny-shaped slag inclusion is found on the fracture
surface of a very large component made of steel alloyed with Ni, Mo, and V. Could
this defect have been responsible for the fracture if the stress acting on the
component was 380 MPa? The only material data available are Charpy results in the
transition temperature regime where impact energy values of 7 to 10 ft-lb were
reported. The Young’s modulus for the steel is 30 × 106 psi. Use the Barson-Rolfe
correlation.

■ Problem 9.1 (Hertzberg et al., 2013, w/permission)

A rod of soda-lime-silica glass is rigidly constrained at 400 K and then
cooled rapidly to 300 K. Assume that 𝐸𝐸 = 70 GPa, 𝛼𝛼 = 8 × 10-6 K-1, and 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 0.8
MPa-m1/2. The allowable stress is 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎 = 90 MPa. With no visible surface damage,
would you expect the rod to survive this quench?
α) The rod would withstand the quench.
β) The rod would not withstand the quench.
γ) There is not enough information.
■ Problem 9.2
If the glass rod contained a 1-mm scratch that was oriented perpendicular
to the axis of the rod, what would be your answer?
α) The rod would withstand the quench.
β) The rod would not withstand the quench.
γ) There is not enough information.
■ Problem 9.3
Would failure occur if the temperature drop and the crack size were each
half the values given above?
α) The rod would withstand the quench.
β) The rod would not withstand the quench.
γ) There is not enough information.

■ Problem 10.1 (Anderson, 1995, w/permission)

A material exhibits the following crack growth resistance behavior.

R 6.95 ( a − a0 )
0.5
=

where 𝑎𝑎0 is the initial crack size. The 𝑅𝑅 parameter has units of kJ/m2 and the crack
size is in millimeters. Consider a wide plate with a through crack such that 𝑎𝑎 ≪ 𝑤𝑤,
where 𝑤𝑤 is the width of the plate. The elastic modulus of the plate material is 207
GPa. If this plate fractures at 138 MPa, compute the crack size at failure.
A) 𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 = 125 mm
B) 𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 = 212 mm
C) 𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 = 290 mm
D) 𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 = 371 mm
■ Problem 10.2
If this plate has an initial crack length (2𝑎𝑎0 ) of 50.8 mm and the plate is
loaded to failure, compute the stress at failure.
A) 𝜎𝜎𝑐𝑐 = 38.5 MPa
B) 𝜎𝜎𝑐𝑐 = 105 MPa
C) 𝜎𝜎𝑐𝑐 = 213 MPa
D) 𝜎𝜎𝑐𝑐 = 340 MPa

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■ Problem 11.1 (Anderson, 1995, w/permission)
Suppose that a double cantilever beam specimen is fabricated from the
same material considered in Problem 10. The dimensions of the beam are 𝐵𝐵 = 25.4
mm and ℎ = 12.7 mm (refer to figure below) and the initial crack size is 𝑎𝑎0 = 152
mm. Calculate the load at failure.

A) 𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐 = 2.31 kN
B) 𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐 = 5.24 kN
C) 𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐 = 8.14 kN
D) 𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐 = 11.1 kN
■ Problem 11.2
The previous problem has shown that the energy release rate 𝑅𝑅 of a double
cantilever beam specimen increases with crack growth when the specimen is held at
a constant load. Describe how you could alter the design of the DCB specimen so
that a growing crack in load control would experience a constant 𝐺𝐺.

■ Problem 12.1 (Hertzberg et al., 2013, w/permission)

A particular pressure vessel is fabricated by bending a rolled aluminum alloy
plate into a cylinder then welding on end caps. The alloy used for the cylinder has a
distinct layered structure from the rolling process. The rolling direction is around
the circumference of the cylinder. The plate thickness is 3 mm. The measured
fracture toughness values for the different orientations of this material are provided
below. The internal pressure leads to a hoop stress of 300 MPa. If two semicircular
cracks are initiated on the inner surface of the cylinder such that one is growing
along the cylinder length and other across the cylinder width, which one would be
more likely to lead to fast fracture?

Direction L-T T-L S-T

𝑲𝑲𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰 (MPa-m1/2) 29.7 24.5 16.3

α) The L-T direction.

β) The T-L direction.
γ) The S-T direction.
■ Problem 12.2
If a circular embedded penny crack was created internally during fabrication
so that the crack lies in the S-T orientation, will this fail before either of the cracks
in the previous problem?

■ Problem 12.3
If only the longitudinal crack was present, would this design meet a leak-
before-break criterion?

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▐ Problem 13
The records of a fracture toughness test are as follows.

Crack length 𝑎𝑎 (mm) Load (kN) Load point displacement (mm)

20.1 100 0.291
21.1 100 0.298

The fracture load 𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐 = 120 kN for 𝑎𝑎 = 20.6 mm. Given the thickness 𝐵𝐵 = 25
mm, Young’s modulus 𝐸𝐸 = 70 GPa and Poisson’s ratio 𝜈𝜈 = 0.3, determine 𝐺𝐺𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 and
𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 .
A) 𝐺𝐺𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 10.1 kJ/m² and 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 19.7 MPa-m1/2
B) 𝐺𝐺𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 10.1 kJ/m² and 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 39.4 MPa-m1/2
C) 𝐺𝐺𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 20.2 kJ/m² and 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 19.7 MPa-m1/2
D) 𝐺𝐺𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 20.2 kJ/m² and 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 39.4 MPa-m1/2

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Figure 1 Secant correction factor for a central crack in a finite plate.

SOLUTIONS
P.1 ■ Solution
Since 𝑎𝑎⁄𝑤𝑤 = 4/10 = 0.4, we appeal to Figure 1 and read 𝑓𝑓(𝑏𝑏) = 1.1. The
nominal stress in the first plate is then

K 66
=σ1 = = 16.9 ksi
f ( b ) π a 1.1× π × 4

The corresponding nominal stress at collapse is given by

σ col,1
=
(=
w − a ) σ Y (10 − 4 ) × 72
= 43.2 ksi
w 10
Since 𝜎𝜎1 < 𝜎𝜎col,1, we conclude that plate 1 will not collapse. For the second
plate, ratio 𝑎𝑎⁄𝑤𝑤 = 0.5/1.0 = 0.5 and 𝑓𝑓(𝑏𝑏) = 1.2. The nominal stress is

K 66
=σ2 = = 43.9 ksi
f ( b ) π a 1.2 × π × 0.5

The corresponding nominal stress at collapse is then

σ col,2
=
(=
w − a ) σ Y ( 2 − 1) × 72
= 36 ksi
w 2
Since 𝜎𝜎2 > 𝜎𝜎col,2, we surmise that plate 2 will collapse.

♦ The correct answer is C.

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P.2 ■ Solution
1. False. The stress at fracture is 𝜎𝜎 = 250/(20 × 0.8) = 15.6 ksi. Given the
ratio 𝑎𝑎⁄𝑤𝑤 = 1/(20/2) = 0.1, we read 𝑓𝑓(𝑏𝑏) = 1.0 from Figure 1. The stress intensity
factor follows as

K= f ( b ) × σ × π a= 15.6 ×1.0 × π ×1.0= 27.7 ksi in.

2. True. For plane strain to hold, the thickness 𝐵𝐵 of the plate must be such
that
2
K 
B > 2.5  
 σY 
In the case at hand, we have

2
 27.7 
B > 2.5  0.391 in.
 =
 70 
Since 𝐵𝐵 = 0.8 > 0.391 in., we surmise that the loading conditions are plane
strain per the ASTM criterion.

3. True. The width of the plastic zone is

( K σ Y=
) ( 27.7 70=
)
2 2

rp
= 8.31×10−3 in.
6π 6π

P.3 ■ Solution
Part 1: The fracture toughness for a compact-tension (CT) specimen can be
estimated with the relation

P a
KI = 12
f 
Ba  w C
where 𝑓𝑓(𝑎𝑎⁄𝑤𝑤)𝐶𝐶 follows from the regression equation

a
f   =29.6α 0.5 − 185.5α 1.5 + 655.7α 2.5
 w C
−1017α 3.5 + 639α 4.5
In the present case, 𝛼𝛼 = 𝑎𝑎⁄𝑤𝑤 = 2/5 = 0.4 and, accordingly,

a
f   =29.6 × 0.40.5 − 185.5 × 0.41.5 + 655.7 × 0.42.5
 w C
−1017 × 0.43.5 + 639 × 0.44.5 =
7.33
Inserting our data into the equation for 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼 gives

48.2
K=
I × 7.33
= 87.8 ksi in.
1.8 × 51 2
♦ The correct answer is D.
Part 2: In order for plane strain to hold, we must have
2
K 
B ≥ 2.5  IC 
 σY 
In the present case,

2
 87.8 
2.5  =  0.857 < 1.8 (OK)
 150 
This is also less than the crack size 𝑎𝑎 = 1.5 in. Next, the ratio 𝐵𝐵⁄𝑟𝑟𝑦𝑦 of
thickness to the size of the plastic zone should be greater than 50 or so, with 𝑟𝑟𝑦𝑦
given by
2 2
1 K  1  87.8 
ry = CI  =×  0.0182
 =
6π  σ Y  6π  150 

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 It follows that 𝐵𝐵⁄𝑟𝑟𝑦𝑦 = 1.8/0.0182 = 98.9. Likewise, 𝑎𝑎/𝑟𝑟𝑦𝑦 = 2.0/0.0182 =
110. Lastly, the ratio of maximum load 𝑃𝑃max to the 𝑃𝑃5 load should be no greater
than 1.10. In the present case,

Pmax 50, 200

= = 1.04
P5 48, 200

which is lower than 1.1, as expected. The test satisfies all four constraints and,
therefore, the value of 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 afforded by the test is a valid estimate of the specimen’s
fracture toughness.

♦ The correct answer is A.

P.4 ■ Solution
Part 1: The first step is to establish the depth 𝑐𝑐 of the section centroid,
which is given by

=c
ΣAyc
=
( 40 × 35) ×17.5 − 2 × (18 × 31) ×=
15.5
25.4 mm
ΣA ( 40 × 35) − 2 × (18 × 31)
We also require the moment of inertia with respect to the 𝑥𝑥-axis,

40 × 353 18 × 313
=I x′ − 2 × = 214, 000 mm 4
3 3
The moment of inertia about the centroidal 𝑥𝑥-axis follows from the parallel
axis theorem,

I x′ = I x + ( ΣA ) c 2 → 214, 000 = I x + 284 × 25.42

30,800 mm 4
∴ Ix =

The nominal stress in the beam is then

Mc 180 × 0.0254
σ
= = = 146 MPa
Ix ( 30,800 ×10−12 )
The corresponding stress intensity factor is

K = Y σ π a = 1.12 ×146 × π × (1.5 ×10−3 ) = 11.2 MPa m

Given the fracture toughness of aluminum 𝐾𝐾IC = 29 MPa-m1/2, the safety

factor against brittle fracture is calculated as

K IC 29
FS
= K = = 2.59
K 11.2
♦ The correct answer is B.
Part 2: The stress intensity factor that corresponds to a factor of safety of
3.0 is found as

K IC K
FS K = → K max = IC
K max FS K
29
∴ K max = =9.67 MPa m
3.0
The maximum permissible crack length is then
2
1  K max 
K max Y σ π amax
= amax
→=
π  Y σ 
2
1  9.67 
∴ amax = ×  =0.00111 =1.11 mm
π  1.12 ×146 

♦ The correct answer is A.

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 Part 3: For this type of aluminum, the factor of safety against brittle
fracture for a crack length of 1.5 mm is determined to be

′
K IC 52
FS
= ′
K = = 4.64
K 11.2
The maximum crack size for a factor of safety equal to 3 is, in turn,

52
K max = Y σ π a → = 1.12 ×146 × π × amax
3
3.58 mm
∴ amax =

Use of this tougher aluminum will cause the factor of safety for a crack size
of 1.5 mm to increase almost 80 percent; the allowable crack size for a safety factor
of 3.0 against brittle fracture is increased by more than 220 percent.

P.5 ■ Solution
The average radius of the tube is 𝑟𝑟𝑚𝑚 = (45 + 50)/2 = 47.5 mm and the
vertical distance from the crack to the neutral axis is 𝑦𝑦 = 47.5 × sin 50o = 36.4 mm.
The moment of inertia about the neutral axis is estimated as 𝐼𝐼 = 𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟𝑚𝑚3 𝑡𝑡 = 𝜋𝜋 × 47.53 ×
5 = 1.68 × 106 mm4. The bending stress is determined next,

My 8000 × 0.0364
σ
= = = 173 MPa
I (1.68 ×10−6 )
The stress intensity factor is

K = Y σ π a = 1.0 ×173 × π × ( 5 ×10−3 ) = 21.7 MPa m

The factor of safety against brittle fracture is then

66
FS
= K = 3.04
21.7
Next, we assess the stability of the tube against fully plastic yielding. The
bending moment at yield is

MY = 4 × 0.04752 × 0.005 × ( 925 ×106 ) =

4rm2tσ Y = 41.7 kN ⋅ m

and the corresponding factor of safety is calculated to be

41.7
FS
= Y = 5.21
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♦ The correct answer is D.

P.6 ■ Solution
For leak-before-break conditions, the critical crack length 𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 must be
greater than the wall thickness 𝑡𝑡. The critical crack length is given by

2 2
1  KC  1  88 
ac =   = × 6.41 cm
 =
π  Y σ  π  (1.12 × 2 π ) × 275 

Since 𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 > 1.25 cm, the crack will reach the outer surface of the wall before
the crack length reaches the critical value. The vessel will therefore leak before it
breaks.

♦ The correct answer is α.

P.7 ■ Solution
Part 1: Appealing to the equation for hoop stress in a thin-walled pressure
vessel, we have

pr pr
σ h= → t=
t σh
7 × 0.22
∴t
= = 0.022 m
70

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 At fracture, the pressure was 𝑝𝑝 = 3.5 MPa and the hoop stress must have
been

pr 3.5 × 0.22
σ=
h = = 35 MPa
t 0.022
The semicircular surface crack has a geometric factor 𝑌𝑌 = 1.12 × 2/𝜋𝜋, so
that

 2
K IC= Y σ π a= 1.12 ×  × 35 × π × ( 2.5 ×10−3 =
) 2.21 MPa m
 π

♦ The correct answer is B.

Part 2: We want 𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 > 𝑡𝑡 at the design stress of 70 MPa. An efficient
approach is to set the crack length equal to the wall thickness in order to determine
the fracture toughness at which 𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 = 𝑡𝑡. This would be the minimum fracture
toughness to establish a leak-before-break condition. Accordingly,

 2
K IC ,min= Y σ π a= 1.12 ×  × 70 × π × 0.0022= 4.15 MPa m
 π
The only available polymer with a fracture toughness greater than 4.15
MPa-m1/2 is polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

♦ The correct answer is D.

P.8 ■ Solution
Most fracture toughness-Charpy V-notch correlations require the yield
strength, which we do not have. Two exceptions are the Barson-Rolfe correlation,

K IC2
= 2 ( CVN )
1.5

E
and the Sailors-Corten correlation,

K IC = 15.5 ( CVN )
0.5

Since we were given the modulus of elasticity, it is reasonable to appeal to

the former expression. Thus,

K IC
2 ( CVN ) →= 2 E ( CVN )
1.5 1.5
= K IC
E

∴ K IC ,min = 2 × ( 30 ×106 ) × 71.5 = 33,300 = 33.3 ksi in.

Applying the conversion factor 1.099 MPa-in.1/2/(ksi-in.1/2) brings to

K IC ,min =33.3 ×1.099 =36.6 MPa m

On the other extreme, with 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 10 ft-lb, we find that

K IC ,max = 2 × ( 30 ×106 ) ×103 2 = 43.6 ksi in. = 47.9 MPa m

The critical stress intensity factor for the conditions in question is

2
K crit =Y σ π a = × 380 × π × 0.015 =52.5 MPa m
π
Since this is greater than the largest SIF obtained for the steel component
(𝐾𝐾IC,max = 47.9 MPa-m1/2), we surmise that the slag inclusion was responsible for
the failure of the steel component.

P.9 ■ Solution
Part 1: The thermal stress due to the temperature change is

σ θ = α E ∆T = ( 8 ×10−6 ) × ( 70 ×109 ) × ( 400 − 300 ) = 56 MPa

Since 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎 = 90 MPa > 𝜎𝜎𝜃𝜃 , the rod would likely withstand the quench.

♦ The correct answer is α.

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 Part 2: The stress intensity factor associated with the thermal stress is

K = σ θ π a = 56 × π × (1×10−3 ) = 3.14 MPa m

Since 𝐾𝐾 > 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 0.8 MPa-m1/2, we surmise that the rod would fail. A similar
conclusion can be attained if we instead calculate the allowable stress for the given
fracture toughness; that is,

K IC
K = σ π a → σ allow =
πa
0.8 ×106
∴σ allow
= = 14.3 MPa
π × (1×10−3 )

which is less than the applied thermal stress 𝜎𝜎𝜃𝜃 , once again indicating that the rod
will fail.

♦ The correct answer is β.

Part 3: Since the thermal stress is linearly dependent on the temperature
drop, the corresponding stress with Δ𝑇𝑇 = 50 K is 𝜎𝜎𝜃𝜃 = 56/2 = 28 MPa. The
corresponding stress intensity factor is

K =σ θ π a =28 × π × ( 0.5 ×10−3 ) =1.11 MPa m

This is greater than 𝐾𝐾𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 0.8 MPa-m1/2; although the conditions are less
severe, the rod would still fail. This can be verified if we compute the allowable
stress for this crack size,

K IC 0.8
σ= = = 20.2 MPa
π × ( 0.5 ×10−3 )
allow
πa

which is less than 𝜎𝜎𝜃𝜃 , as expected.

♦ The correct answer is β.

P.10 ■ Solution
Part 1: At instability, the energy release rate equals the 𝑅𝑅 parameter, that
is, 𝐺𝐺 = 𝑅𝑅. Accordingly,

πσ 2 ac
= 6.95 ( ac − a0 )
0.5
(I)
E
In addition, we must have 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑/𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑/𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, so that

πσ 2
= 3.48 ( ac − a0 )
−0.5
(II)
E
Substituting the available data in equation (II) gives

π ×1382
= 3.48 ( ac − a0 ) 0)
→ ( ac − a=
−0.5
145 mm
207, 000
Backsubstituting in equation (I) gives

π ×1382 × ac
= 6.95 ×1450.5 → ac = 290 mm
207, 000

♦ The correct answer is C.

Part 2: Dividing equation (I) by equation (II) brings to

πσ 2 ac E 6.95 ( ac − a0 )
0.5

= → ac= 2 ( ac − a0 )
3.48 ( ac − a0 )
−0.5
πσ 2 E

Substituting the initial crack length 𝑎𝑎0 = 25.4 mm and solving for 𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 , we
obtain

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© 2020 Montogue Quiz
 ac= 2 ( ac − a0 ) → ac= 2 ( ac − 25.4 )
50.8 mm
∴ ac =

We can then substitute the available data into equation (I) and solve for the
critical stress 𝜎𝜎c ,

πσ c2 ac π × σ c2 × 0.0508
=6.95 ( ac − a0 ) =6.95 × ( 0.0508 − 0.0254 )
0.5 0.5
→ 6
E 207 ×10
∴σ c 213,=
= 000 kPa 213 MPa

♦ The correct answer is C.

P.11 ■ Solution
Part 1: The first step is to obtain an expression for the energy release rate
of a cantilever beam. From beam theory, the deflection Δ is found to be

∆ Pa 3
=
2 3EI
where moment of inertia 𝐼𝐼 = 𝐵𝐵ℎ3/12. The elastic compliance 𝐶𝐶, being the inverse of
stiffness, is calculated as

∆ 2a 3
C= =
P 3EI
At this point, we appeal to the equation for energy release rate, giving

P 2 dC P 2 2a 2
G
= = ×
2 B da 2 B EI
P2a2
∴G =
BEI
12 P 2 a 2
∴G = 2 3
BhE
At instability, 𝐺𝐺 = 𝑅𝑅 and 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑/𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑/𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑. Hence, we can write

12 Pc2 ac2
6.95 ( ac − a0 )
0.5
=Gc = 2 3
Bh
and

2Gc
3.48 ( ac − a0 )
−0.5
=
ac

Dividing one equation by the other yields

6.95 ( ac − a0 )
0.5
Gc a
= → c = 2 ( ac − a0 )
2Gc ac 3.48 ( ac − a0 ) −0.5
2

With an initial crack length 𝑎𝑎0 = 152 mm, we obtain

ac a
= 2 ( ac − a0 ) → c = 2 ( ac − 152 )
2 2
203 mm
∴ ac =

Backsubstituting in the equation for 𝐺𝐺𝑐𝑐 , the load at failure is calculated to

be

12 Pc2 ac2 12 × Pc2 × 0.2032

( ) = 6.95 × ( 203 − 152 )
0.5 0.5
2 3
= 6.95 ac − a0 → 2 3 6
BhE 0.0254 × 0.0127 × 207 ×10
5.24 kN
∴ Pc =

♦ The correct answer is B.

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 Part 2: In a conventional DCB specimen, compliance varies with 𝑎𝑎3 , while
energy release is proportional to 𝑎𝑎2 when load is fixed. In order for 𝐺𝐺 to remain
constant with crack growth, compliance must vary linearly with crack length. One
way to accomplish this is to taper the specimen width, as illustrated in the following
figure. Alternatively, the thickness can be tapered. The latter method is not as
effective as the former because compliance is less sensitive to the thickness
dimension (recall that the moment of inertia 𝐼𝐼 = 𝐵𝐵ℎ3/12. Specimens such as the one
illustrated below have been successfully used in laboratory experiments.

P.12 ■ Solution
Part 1: The L-T orientation is slightly tougher than the T-L. However, the L-
T crack lies along the cylinder axis and is therefore opened by the hoop stress. The
stress is twice the longitudinal stress acting on the T-L orientation, and fracture
toughness is directly proportional to stress. Thus, the L-T crack is favored to fail
first.

♦ The correct answer is α.

Part 2: This crack would be opened by a radial tension stress. There is no
radial stress in the radial direction of a pressure vessel, and the strain is
compressive, so there is no chance that this crack will fail despite being in the least
tough orientation.
Part 3: One possible approach is to find the critical crack length and
compare it to the wall thickness. The appropriate fracture toughness in this case is
the L-T value. Accordingly,
2
1  K IC 
K IC Y σ π a →=
= ac
π  Y σ 
2
1  29.7 
∴ ac = ×   = 6.14 mm
π  (1.12 × 2 π ) × 300 

The plate thickness is 3 mm, so it easily meets the leak-before-break

criterion.

P.13 ■ Solution
The compliance at 𝑎𝑎 = 20.1 mm is 𝑐𝑐1 = 0.291 × 10-3/105 m/N, and that at
𝑎𝑎 = 21.1 mm is 𝑐𝑐2 = 0.298 × 10-3/105 m/N. The variation in compliance between
the two data points is

∆c
=
( c2 − c1 )= 7 ×10−8 N −1
∆a ∆a
noting that Δ𝑎𝑎 = 1 mm. The energy release rate is determined to be

Pc2 ∆c (120 ×10 ) × 7 ×10= 3 2

G
=IC =
2 B ∆a 2 × ( 25 ×10 )
−3 ( −8
) 20.2 kJ/m 2

The energy release rate is associated to fracture toughness by the relation

GIC
=
(1 − v ) K
2 2
IC
→
= K IC
EGIC
E 1 − v2
so that

=K IC
( 70 ×109 ) × 20, 200 39.4 MPa m
=
1 − 0.32
♦ The correct answer is D.

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ANSWER SUMMARY

Problem 1 C
Problem 2 T/F
3.1 D
Problem 3
3.2 A
4.1 B
Problem 4 4.2 A
4.3 Open-ended pb.
Problem 5 D
Problem 6 α
7.1 B
Problem 7
7.2 D
Problem 8 Open-ended pb.
9.1 α
Problem 9 9.2 β
9.3 β
10.1 C
Problem 10
10.2 C
11.1 B
Problem 11
11.2 Open-ended pb.
12.1 α
Problem 12 12.2 Open-ended pb.
12.3 Open-ended pb.
Problem 13 D

REFERENCES
• ANDERSON, T. (1995). Fracture Mechanics: Fundamentals and
Applications. 2nd edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
• BROEK, D. (1988). The Practical Use of Fracture Mechanics. Dordrecht:
Kluwer.
• DOWLING, N. (2013). Mechanical Behavior of Materials. 4th edition.
Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
• HERTZBERG, R., VINCI, R. and HERTZBERG, J. (2013). Deformation and
Fracture Mechanics of Engineering Materials. 5th edition. Hoboken:
John Wiley and Sons.
• SHUKLA, A. (2005). Practical Fracture Mechanics in Design. 2nd edition.
New York: Marcel Dekker.

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© 2020 Montogue Quiz