This Master Thesis concerns crack propagation and lifetime estimation of a 2D structure subjected for given boundary condition. Stress intensity factors and energy release rate due to Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanic (LEFM) and crack growth models of Paris, Forman and NASGROW is taking into account.
ANSYS Mechanical APDL is used to programme a code to simulate the trajectory of a crack and determine the lifetime due to crack propagation.
Results from verification of the code indicate good agreement in order to simulate the trajectory of a crack, the estimation of lifetime show an error of 42%, if known sources of error is included an error of 17% is present.