Characterization of Structural Scale Ductile Fracture of Aluminum Panels Using Digital Image Correlation

Abstract

The use of lightweight aluminum construction has become prevalent in marine structures and it is therefore critical that the performance of such structures in the inelastic regime be characterized. A key aspect of this is the ductile fracture behavior of panels and structural details. Here, the results of ductile fracture tests conducted on large pre-notched aluminum panels seeking to characterize this inelastic response and resulting fracture are reported. Plates fabricated from 5083-H116 and 6061-T6 panels, including a welded panel, were tested with a geometry designed to induce macro-plasticity prior to fracture. Testing was performed using a newly developed heavy steel fixture of sufficient rigidity and included the use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) strain measurement. Through extensive data collection and analysis, the full extent and severity of plastic deformation prior to fracture were obtained. It is anticipated that this data will be of utility in the calibration and validation of numerical modeling of ductile fracture in large structures.