Simulation of crack propagation in steel plate with strain softening model

The objective of this research program is to develop a new material model to simulate the fracture behaviour of structural steel with strain softening elements. Softening elements were used to simulate a material crack in the steel structure in this report. Load versus displacement and load versus clip-gauge displacement curves are compared between experimental and numerical results. Finite element analysis was employed to simulate the fracture behaviour of three-points bending specimens in order to achieve fracture strain for calibration. The material model successfully predicted 90% of load and stress intensity factor at fracture initiation.; The calibrated numerical model is employed on the BE 365 electric shovel boom to simulate the fracture behaviour. The strain softening model can reduce the stiffness of the boom when the softening element reaches the yield strength limit at fracture initiation. No priori is required for this analysis.