We investigate the use of cohesive theories of fracture, in conjunction with the explicit resolution of the near-tip plastic fields and the enforcement of closure as a contact constraint, for the purpose of fatigue-life prediction. An important characteristic of the cohesive laws considered here is that they exhibit unloading-reloading hysteresis. This feature has the important consequence of preventing shakedown and allowing for steady crack growth. Our calculations demonstrate that the theory is capable of a unified treatment of long cracks under constant-amplitude loading, short cracks and the effect of overloads, without ad hoc corrections or tuning.

A Cohesive model of fatigue crack growth

The current understanding of the underlying reasons behind the load interaction effects in fatigue crack growth under variable amplitude loading is presented. Mechanistic arguments proposed to control the load interaction phenomena are reviewed and evaluated based on their capability to qualitatively explain empirical trends in variable amplitude fatigue crack growth summarized in Part I [Fatigue Fract, Engng Mater. Struct. 1998. 21(8), 987-1006] of the present paper. Mechanisms linked to plastic straining at the crack tip enable an interpretation of the majority of the experimental results. Some observations, however, which cannot be understood in terms of plasticity-induced crack closure, or which are even in contradiction with the crack closure approach, indicate a possible role of other factors. A general conclusion is that conditions under which various phenomena can affect variable amplitude fatigue crack growth and interactions between them are insufficiently recognized.

Load interaction effects during fatigue crack growth under variable amplitude loading—a literature review. Part II: qualitative interpretation

Mechanisms associated with transient fatigue crack growth under variable-amplitude loading: An experimental and numerical study

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Fatigue crack growth under variable-amplitude loading

A study of fatigue crack growth of 7075-T651 aluminum alloy

The fatigue crack propagation behavior resulting from variations in load is examined for 2024-T3 aluminum alloy, from both a macroscopic and a fractographic point of view. A peak load is found to cause retardation of the crack growth rate, which becomes more pronounced as the percentage overload or baseline stress intensity level or both is increased. The delaying effect of the overload is observed to exist for a calculated crack length increment equivalent to the plastic zone size formed during the peak load. Multiple overloads and high-low block loading sequences are found to result in additional retardation. It is observed that the macroscopic fracture surface appearance (that is, transition to plane stress) is a function of the crack growth rate. From fractographic examination it is found that the initiation of microvoid coalescence during fatigue occurs when plane stress conditions are achieved; this limits the extent of the stretch zone associated with an overload cycle. As a result, the stretch zone is found to be followed by striations in plane strain and by dimples under plane stress conditions. The size of the stretch band is observed to depend on the stress intensity level during the overload cycle. The usefulness of closure concepts in aiding the understanding of fatigue crack propagation under uniform and nonuniform loading conditions is considered. Evidence is given to demonstrate the general applicability of closure concepts for analysis of macroscopic and fractographic fatigue crack propagation results. /Author/

Efj von Euw

Papers

Delay Effects in Fatigue Crack Propagation