An Integral Formulation of Two-Parameter Fatigue Crack Growth Model

Abstract EN

A two-parameter fatigue crack growth algorithm in integral form is proposed, which can describe the continuous crack growth process over the time period.

In this model, the fatigue crack propagation behavior is governed by the temporal crack-tip state including the current applied load and the physical condition due to the previous load sequence.

The plasticity-induced crack closure, left by the historical loading sequence, controls the following fatigue crack growth behavior and typically leads to the interaction effects.

In the proposed method, a modified crack closure model deriving from the local plastic deformation is employed to account for this load memory effect.

In general, this model can simulate the fatigue crack growth under variable amplitude loading.

Additionally, this model is established on the physical state of crack tip in the small spatial and temporal scale, and it is used to evaluate the macroscopic crack propagation and fatigue life under irregular tension-tension loading.

A special superimposed loading case is discussed to demonstrate the advantage of the proposed model, while the traditional two-parameter approach is not proper functional.

Moreover, the typical various load spectra are also employed to validate the method.

Good agreements are observed.