TITLE:
Fracture Mechanics and Its Application in the Fatigue Behavior of Reinforced Welded Hand-Holes in Aluminum Light Poles
AUTHORS:
Cameron R. Rusnak, Craig C. Menzemer
KEYWORDS:
Fracture Mechanics, Finite Element Analysis, AFGROW, Fatigue Analysis, Structural Analysis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Civil Engineering,
Vol.13 No.4,
December
14,
2023
ABSTRACT: Predicting
fatigue life of a given specimen using analytical methods can sometimes be challenging. An
approach worth considering for this prediction involves employing fracture
mechanics. Fracture mechanics can complement both laboratory experiments and
finite element analysis (FEA) in estimating fatigue life of a given specimen,
if relevant. In the case of aluminum light poles containing a welded hand-hole,
the fatigue life has not yet been thoroughly predicted. The University of Akron
has conducted a comprehensive fatigue study on aluminum light poles through
various means, albeit without of predicting of said fatigue life of the
specimens. AFGROW (Air Force Growth) can be
used as a fracture mechanics software to predict fatigue life. ABAQUS was used
(for FEA) in conjunction with the AFGROW analysis. The purpose of this study was
to ultimately predict the life of the specimens tested in the lab and was
achieved with various models including hollow tube and plate models. The plate
model process was ultimately found to be the best method for this prediction,
yielding results that mimicked the data from the laboratory. Further
application for this form of fracture mechanics analysis is still yet to be
determined, but for the sake of aluminum light poles, it is possible to predict
the fatigue life and utilize said prediction in the field.