Three dimensional finite element analysis for elastic plastic crack propagation in thin metallic plate

In this paper, we present three dimensional solutions for steadily propagating as well as stationary cracks in thin ductile plate. The phenomena of crack propagation in thin metallic plates have certain importance from a view point of structural integrity assessment for many type of structures, as structures such as commercial aircraft fuselage are composed of thin metallic plates. When a crack propagates in thin metallic plate, deformation field at the vicinity of the crack tip (front) is highly three dimensional, as it has been observed in some earlier experimental studies. However, there are very few analytical/numerical studies concerning the three dimensional nature of propagating cracks, due to difficulties in carrying out the analyses. We apply an Eulerian finite element method, and detailed three dimensional solutions for steadily propagating cracks are presented.