Stress Intensity Factors and Paths for Cracks in Photoelastic Motor Grain Models Under Internal Pressure

Abstract

Computational analysis and two-dimensional tensile tests on single motor grain fins suggest that cracks in fin tips are most likely to originate at the coalescence of a fin end tip radius, with a small radius from the side of the fin. Some manufacturers have also noticed defects formed during casting at the fin tip on the fin axis. The following is an experimental investigation utilizing frozen stress photoelastic models of an existing motor grain geometry in order to clarify stress intensity factor (SIF) values and crack growth paths for cracks emanating from the two above- noted potential critical loci. Comparisons between results from cracks grown from the two loci will be made, suggesting interesting conclusions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 20, 2001
Accession Number
ADA410574

Entities

People

  • C. T. Liu
  • C. W. Smith
  • D. M. Constantinescu

Organizations

  • Virginia Tech

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Blades
  • Contracts
  • Crack Tips
  • Critical Temperature
  • Geometry
  • Internal Pressure
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Mechanics
  • Military Research
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Stress Intensity Factors
  • Stresses
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).
  • Rocket Propulsion.