A new kind of mathematical models for simulation of crack growth was presented in Part 1. It conjugates dynamically stress analysis via FEM with an empirically determined crack-growth velocity. A main point in the development of the model was the relation between the theoretical requirements of data and the practical capability to obtain them. The model provided the main guidelines of the design of experiments. This approach to experimental design is basic to develop better experiments where the theory plays a fundamental role. It turned out that the productivity of the theoretical guidelines was so adequate that the information could be obtained with standard procedures and attention could be focused in the quality of the process. The approach was also important to establish the necessary procedures and data to validate the model. Once the data were obtained, the model was used to obtain an adequate simulation of the crack growth. This second part is focused on the interaction between mathematical model and design of experiments made possible by the capability of modern computers and thus conceived as a practical methodological contribution towards a new conception of engineering research.

Full text: IJEIR_722_Final.pdf