ISSN: 1945-7553
CODEN: JTEVAB
Page Count: 8

Optimization of the Electrical Potential Technique for Crack Growth Monitoring in Compact Test Pieces Using Finite Element Analysis

Aronson, GH
Engineer, Northern Research and Engineering Corp., Cambridge, Mass.

Ritchie, RO
Associate professorMember of ASTM, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.

Abstract

Finite element procedures are used to optimize the efficiency of the electrical potential technique for monitoring the initiation and slow growth of cracks, as applied to the compact tension fracture test piece. An analysis of various configurations of current input and potential measurement lead placement is performed to optimize the accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility of measurement and to maximize output voltages. Numerical calibration curves are computed for selected configurations and are confirmed by experimental measurements.

Keywords:
crack propagation, fractures (materials), fatigue (materials), electrical potential method, finite element analysis

Paper ID: JTE11382J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE11382J
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