Local strain energy density applied to bainitic functionally graded steels plates under mixed-mode (I + II) loading

In this paper, the averaged value of the strain energy density (SED) over a control volume is used to predict the critical load of V-notched specimens made of functionally graded steels (FGSs) under mixed-mode loading. The studied FGSs contain ferritic and austenite phases in addition to bainitic layer produced by electroslag remelting. The mechanismbased strain gradient plasticity theory is used to determine the flow stress (yield stress or ultimate stress) of each layer. The Young's modulus and the Poisson's ratio have been assumed to be constant, while other mechanical properties vary exponentially along the specimen width. The control volume is centered in relation to the maximum principal stress present on the notch edge and assumes a crescent shape. The points belonging to the volume perimeter are obtained numerically. In the present contribution, the effects of notch radius and notch depth on the SED and the critical load are studied. The notch radius varies from 0.2 to 2.0 mm, and the notch depth varies from 5 to 7 mm. By using the SED approach and finite element simulations, the critical load is determined, and the obtained results show a sound agreement with the experimental results.