Decomposition of 3-D mixed-mode energy release rates using the virtual crack extension method

A technique was implemented for decomposing 3-D mixed-mode energy release rates using the Virtual Crack Extension (VCE) method. The technique uses a symmetric/anti-symmetric approach to decompose local crack-front displacements that are substituted into the global VCE energy release rate form. The subsequent expansion leads to the mixed-mode energy release rate expressions. As a result of the expansion, previously unaddressed modal–interaction coupling terms are found to impact the mixed-mode energy release rates. This development expands the VCE method’s advantages over similar procedures when simulating arbitrary crack growth by providing the means to calculate both mixed-mode energy release rates and their variations.