Exploring theoretically reliability of multiple-crack structure by applying Taylor stochastic finite element method(TSFEM)

Sections 1 through 3 of the full paper explain our theoretical exploration mentioned in the title, whose core consists of: (1) TSFEM is applied to analyzing the uncertainty of plane multiple-crack stress intensity factor(SIF) through considering the uncertainties of material properties, crack lengths, and load; (2) stochastic finite element model of plane multiple-crack is presented; considering the lognormal distribution of fracture toughness and stress intensity factor, the transient propagation reliability model of multiple-crack structure is developed, including stress strength reliability interference model and secondary narrow boundary theory; (3) the ultimate stress intensity factor is the fracture toughness for the plane strain mode; when the panel thickness is not large enough for using the plane strain assumption, the plane strain fracture toughness should be transformed to available ultimate stress intensity factor; (4)the mean and uncertainty of stress intensity factor can be calculated by the TSFEM. Section 4 gives concluding remarks consisting of three parts.