Fatigue life estimation and crack propagation analysis of orthotropic lamina using XIGA methodology

In the present work, a NURBS-based Extended Isogeometric Analysis (XIGA) code has been developed for fracture analysis of orthotropic lamina. The XIGA code is capable of an efficient analysis of crack problems using non-uniform rational B-spline basis functions for both the solution field and geometric description of model. The level set approach is used to track the crack geometry. Crack faces are enriched by Heaviside enrichment function and crack tip singularity is captured by asymptotic crack tip enrichment functions. The interaction integral (M-Integral) method is used to calculate mixed mode stress intensity factor for further stable crack growth. The Paris crack growth law is used to simulate the crack propagation and fatigue life estimation in orthotropic media using life cycle increment approach. The developed code has been validated for static and fatigue analysis. The effect of varying angle of orthotropy on fatigue life of 2D plate is investigated using XIGA methodology leading to an optimized ply orientation of orthotropic plate.