Current Version: 4.0012.15
New version of AFGROW release (4.0012.15) was released on August 29, 2008. For more detailed information please visit our downloads page.
Final Air Force release of AFGROW
The current AFGROW (4.0012.15) version is the last version owned by the Air Force Research Laboratory. AFGROW ownership has been transitioned to LexTech, Inc. Jim Harter will continue provide technical direction of future AFGROW development. He will also lead the training and support efforts. A new AFGROW web portal will be available soon. All questions and comments should be directed to info@lextechcentral.com.
New Users
If you are new to AFGROW we recommend that you browse the history and
frequently asked questions (FAQ) sections to get an idea of how the code has evolved
over the years and to answer many common questions about AFGROW. A record of changes to AFGROW is available in the
current version section. As you would expect, many of the AFGROW references and other
important documents are available for download in the documentation section.
Training opportunities will be posted in the training section as
classes are available in the Dayton area. Training is also available at your location upon request – please contact us to make arrangements.
About AFGROW
AFGROW is a Damage Tolerance Analysis (DTA) framework that allows users to analyze crack initiation, fatigue crack growth, and fracture to predict the life of metallic structures. AFGROW (Air Force Grow), was originally developed by The Air Force Research Laboratory. It is now being developed and maintained by LexTech, Inc.
AFGROW is one of the fastest and most efficient crack growth life prediction tools available today. AFGROW is mainly used for aerospace applications; however it can be applied to any type of metallic structure that experiences fatigue cracking. AFGROW is also a very user-friendly computer program.
The stress intensity factor library provides models for over 30 different crack geometries (including tension, bending and bearing loading for many cases). In addition, an advanced, multiple crack capability allows AFGROW to analyze two independent cracks in a plate (including hole effects), non-symmetric corner cracked. Finite Element (FE) based solutions are available for two, non-symmetric through cracks at holes as well as cracks growing toward holes. This capability allows AFGROW to handle cases with more than one crack growing from a row of fastener holes.
AFGROW implements five different material models (Forman Equation, Walker Equation, Tabular lookup, Harter-T Method and NASGRO Equation) to determine crack growth per applied loading cycle. Other AFGROW user options include five load interaction (retardation) models (Closure, FASTRAN, Hsu, Wheeler, and Generalized Willenborg), a strain-life based fatigue crack initiation model, and the ability to perform a crack growth analysis for structures with a bonded repair. AFGROW also includes useful options such as: user-defined stress intensity solutions, user-defined beta modification factors (ability to estimate stress intensity factors for cases, which may not be an exact match for one of the stress intensity solutions in the AFGROW library), and a residual stress analysis capability. Tools are included to allow for spectrum cycle counting, and the ability to automatically transfer output data to Microsoft Excel.
AFGROW provides COM (Component Object Model) Automation interfaces that allow users to use AFGROW in other Windows applications to perform repetitive tasks or control AFGROW from these applications.
AFGROW also has new plug-in stress intensity solution interface that allows AFGROW users to develop additional stress intensity factor (K) solutions. Users may create their own stress intensity solutions by writing and compiling dynamic link libraries (DLLs) using relatively simple routines. This includes the ability to animate the crack growth as is done in all other native AFGROW solutions. This interface also makes it possible for FE analysis software to pass stress intensity information to AFGROW throughout the crack life prediction process, allowing for a tremendous amount of analytical flexibility.