Numerical Study of Universal Beam (I Section) Under Bending Load With Crack

Abstract

The structural components often contain cracks as a results of applied load. Therefore, these cracks must be studied how they affect the structural behavior and the total service lifetime of the component. Bearing beams of the bridges have usually cross-section in the shape of an I-profile. In this contribution, a numerical parametric model was made in order to study the influence of the crack length, Poisson's ratio and web thickness on the stress distribution in the structural element, for which a three-point bending specimen was applied. The model is based on the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM), with focus set on the determination of the stress intensity factor, as it is one of the main parameters used in the description of the stress fields in vicinity of the crack tip.