Boundary Integral Equation Method For Three Dimensional Elastic Fracture Mechanics Analysis

Analytical and numerical modeling improvements in the three-dimensional boundary-integral equation method have been developed for fracture mechanics problems in rotating gas turbine structures for aircraft. Improved modeling procedures for accurate stress intensity factor analysis of surface and corner cracks were developed and verified. In addition the basic analytical stress analysis tool was extended to include analysis of the steady-state thermo-elastic and centrifugal body force problems. Results reported include newly developed analytical formulations for crack analysis and body force problems. Extensive numerical results are reported which verify the improved analytical capabilities.