Some aircraft component is fabricated from an aluminum alloy that has a plane strain fracture toughness of \(40 \mathrm{MPa} \sqrt{\mathrm{m}}(36.4 \mathrm{ksi} \sqrt{\mathrm{in} .})\) It has been determined that fracture results at a stress of \(300 \mathrm{MPa}(43,500 \mathrm{psi})\) when the maximum (or critical) internal crack length is \(4.0 \mathrm{mm}(0.16 \text { in. }) .\) For this same component and alloy, will fracture occur at a stress level of \(260 \mathrm{MPa}(38,000 \mathrm{psi})\) when the maximum internal crack length is \(6.0 \mathrm{mm}(0.24 \mathrm{in.}) ?\) Why or why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Yes, the aluminum alloy will fracture under a stress level of 260 MPa and a crack length of 6.0 mm because the stress intensity factor (60.82 MPa√m) is greater than the alloy's plane strain fracture toughness (40 MPa√m).

Step by step solution

01

Calculation of Stress Intensity Factor

We will use the formula for the stress intensity factor, which is given by: \(K = \sigma \sqrt{\pi a}\) where \(K\) is the stress intensity factor, \(\sigma\) is the applied stress, and \(a\) is the crack length. We are given the values for the stress (\(\sigma = 260 \,\text{MPa}\)) and the crack length (\(a = 6.0 \,\text{mm} \, (\text{0.24 in.})\)). Replace the values in the formula: \(K = 260 \,\text{MPa} \sqrt{\pi (6.0 \,\text{mm})}\)
02

Simplify and Solve for Stress Intensity Factor

Now, we'll calculate the value of the stress intensity factor: \(K = 260 \,\text{MPa} \sqrt{\pi (6.0 \,\text{mm})} = 260 \,\text{MPa} \sqrt{18.85 \,\text{mm}} \approx 60.82 \,\text{MPa}\sqrt{\text{m}}\)
03

Compare Stress Intensity Factor with Plane Strain Fracture Toughness

We are given the plane strain fracture toughness of the aluminum alloy: \(40 \,\text{MPa}\sqrt{\text{m}}\). Now, compare the calculated stress intensity factor with the given plane strain fracture toughness value: \(K = 60.82 \,\text{MPa}\sqrt{\text{m}} > 40 \,\text{MPa}\sqrt{\text{m}}\) Since the stress intensity factor is greater than the plane strain fracture toughness, the fracture will occur at the given stress level (260 MPa) and crack length (6.0 mm).
04

Conclusion

Fracture will occur in the aluminum alloy at a stress level of 260 MPa and a maximum internal crack length of 6.0 mm, because the stress intensity factor (60.82 MPa√m) is greater than the plane strain fracture toughness of the alloy (40 MPa√m).

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What is the magnitude of the maximum stress that exists at the tip of an internal crack having a radius of curvature of \(1.9 \times 10^{-4} \mathrm{mm}\) \(\left(7.5 \times 10^{-6} \text {in. }\right)\) and a crack length of \(3.8 \times\) \(10^{-2} \mathrm{mm}\left(1.5 \times 10^{-3} \mathrm{in.}\right)\) when a tensile stress of \(140 \mathrm{MPa}(20,000 \mathrm{psi})\) is applied?

Suppose that a wing component on an aircraft is fabricated from an aluminum alloy that has a plane strain fracture toughness of \(26 \mathrm{MPa} \sqrt{\mathrm{m}}\) \((23.7 \mathrm{ksi} \sqrt{\mathrm{in.}}) .\) It has been determined that fracture results at a stress of \(112 \mathrm{MPa}\) \((16,240 \text { psi })\) when the maximum internal crack length is \(8.6 \mathrm{mm}(0.34 \text { in. }) .\) For this same component and alloy, compute the stress level at which fracture will occur for a critical internal crack length of \(6.0 \mathrm{mm}(0.24\) in.)

Cite five factors that may lead to scatter in fatigue life data.

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