Abstract
A model of fatigue crack growth based on an analysis of elastic/plastic stress and strain at the crack tip is presented. It is shown that the fatigue crack growth rate can be calculated using the local stress/strain at the crack tip by assuming that a small highly strained area x ∗ , existing at the crack tip, is responsible for the fatigue crack growth, and that the fatigue crack growth may be regarded as the cumulation of successive crack re-initiations over a distance x ∗ . It is shown that crack closure can be modelled using the effective contact zone g behind the crack tip. The model allows the fatigue crack growth rate over the near threshold and linear ranges of the general d a/d N versus ΔK curve to be calculated. The fatigue crack growth retardation due to overload and fatigue crack arrest can also be analysed in terms of g and x ∗ . Calculated fatigue crack growth rates are compared with experimental ones for low and high strength steel.
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