Assessment of three-dimensional multi-crack propagation for fatigue life prediction

Abstract

The existence of multiple cracks affects the crack propagation life assessment of mechanical components. In the present work, numerical algorithms for multiple fatigue crack growth are studied with verification of finite element computations. The investigation confirms that the ratio of the crack center distance to the major crack length is a suitable parameter to evaluate the influence of multiple cracks in the fatigue life prediction. An efficient semi-analytical method is developed and verified to predict the fatigue crack propagation life, which can be applied for three-dimensional structural damage tolerance assessment.