Stress intensity factor KI · Paris law fatigue · Crack-tip stress field
Interactive linear elastic fracture mechanics simulator. Compute the stress intensity factor K_I, visualise stress fields near a crack tip, and simulate Paris-law fatigue crack growth cycle by cycle.
The stress intensity factor K_I = Yσ√(πa) quantifies singularity strength at a crack tip. When K_I reaches K_IC (fracture toughness), fast fracture occurs. In fatigue, each load cycle advances the crack by da/dN = C(ΔK)^m — the Paris law.
Set initial crack length, applied stress, and material properties (K_IC, Paris constants). Run the fatigue simulation to watch the crack grow. The stress field around the tip updates live.
The Paris law exponent m is typically between 2 and 4 for metals. A crack in an aircraft fuselage can grow from invisible (0.5 mm) to catastrophic in as few as 10,000 cycles under typical pressurisation loads.