Pre-processing - overview

The pre-processing for analysis of a cracked structure is significantly faster with Zencrack compared to generating a cracked model in a graphical pre-processor. This is because Zencrack requires only an uncracked mesh rather than a detailed cracked model. Preparation for a Zencrack analysis requires completion of two steps:

• Generation of an uncracked mesh.
• Creation of a Zencrack input file.

The uncracked mesh should be a valid mesh for the intact component. Further information on the uncracked mesh and the way that Zencrack produces the cracked mesh from it is contained in the section on meshing procedure.

The Zencrack input file contains the ancilliary information to convert the uncracked mesh to a cracked mesh and carry out the analysis. For a crack growth analysis, for example, the input file includes the load history and the crack growth data.

For users of Abaqus/CAE, the Zencrack plug-in capability is available to help extract data from the uncracked mesh and to fully define the Zencrack input file from within the /CAE environment. A short video is available giving an example of the use of the plug-in to define a complete Zencrack input file.

Some crack growth applications may benefit from the use of two specialised pre-processing utility programs supplied with Zencrack. The programs assist in converting general data to a format accepted by Zencrack.