Inelastic Fracture Mechanics for Tire Durability Simulations

Abstract

Abstract A fully three-dimensional fracture mechanical approach is introduced which may serve as a basis for tire durability simulations utilizing the finite element method. The so-called material force approach is employed as an elegant alternative characterization of the energy release rate or the J-integral to describe discrete cracks. As a vector quantity, it even yields directional information. The method is applicable in the context of finite strains and nonlinear elasticity and inelasticity. Using the shown approach, a physical and efficient modeling of fracture sensitivity of tires is obtained.