This research continues and completes a three-dimensional numerical analysis for ductile rupture and plasticity induced during crack growth. Finite element calculations with very fine meshes will be made for cracks growing under large-scale yielding. The results will be compared with near crack stress fields generated during small-scale yielding. Specific cases of ductile fracture near blunting crack tips and the growth of a plane strain crack in large-scale yielding will be considered. The three-dimensional numerial analysis results will provide significant new input to understand the mechanics of ductile crack growth and will help to develop computer algorithms in metal forming such as for drawing, rolling, and extrusion.
