Analytical Prediction Model for Fatigue Crack Propagation Rate under Tension-Compression Loading

Abstract

Elastic–plastic finite element analyses have been performed to study the compressive stress effect on fatigue crack growth under applied tension–compression loading. The near crack tip stress, crack tip opening displacement and crack tip plastic zone size were obtained for a kinematic hardening material. The results have shown that the near crack tip local stress, displacement and reverse plastic zone size are controlled by the maximum stress intensity factors Kmax and the applied compressive stress σmaxcom under tension–compression. Based on the finite element analysis results, a fatigue crack propagation model using Kmax and σmaxcom as a parameters under tension–compression loading has been developed.The models under tension–compression loading agreed well with experimental observations.