Online Workshop on Fracture Mechanics Simulation using FRANC3D

This workshop conducted on 2nd June 2020, Interested can contact : info@virtual-engineering.com to recieve the further schedule of free. refer our course section for paid certificate programs 

This online workshop focus on theoritical and simulation aspects of Fracture Mechanics using FRANC3D

FRANC3D has had a long development history starting in the late 1980’s at Cornell University. The FRANC3D/Classic (boundary element based) software is still available from the Cornell Fracture Group, but it is no longer supported and will not run on many current platforms as it is restricted to 32bit and XWindows graphics. An all new version of FRANC3D was started in 2005 by FAC and commercial licensed copies have been shipping since 2010.

Benifits of FRANC3D 

• Allows the use of existing finite element models
• Provides more accurate forecast of component life expectancies
• Precision and depth can be added to the results by incorporating 3-D fracture modeling into engineering analysis
• Reduces cost
• Provides a more efficient method for designing engineering components

Understanding the FRANC3D process:

1. an analyst creates an uncracked FE mesh using the standard tools available in the commercial FE package.
2. The analyst then defines a sub-model of the crack growth region.
3. FRANC3D reads the sub-model mesh file and remeshes the sub-model to incorporate the geometry of a crack. The crack geometry and location can be prescribed interactively using the Graphical User Interface (GUI).
4. The “cracked” sub-model is reintegrated into the remainder of the model and an analysis is performed.
5. The resulting displacements are read back into FRANC3D, which computes Stress Intensity Factors (SIF’s) for all node points along the crack front.
6. The SIF’s are used to predict the direction and relative amount of growth of the crack front points.
7. The crack is extended, the sub-model remeshed, and another stress analysis is performed. This process is repeated for the number of crack steps specified by the analyst.