Correction Method for Calculating Critical Plane Position of Geometric Discontinuity Steel Structure Under Multiaxial Loading

Abstract

Critical plane method is one of the most promising approaches to predict the fatigue life when the structure is subjected to the multiaxial loading. The stress-strain status and the critical plane position for smooth specimens are calculated using theoretical approaches when the loading mode is a continuous function. However, because of the existence of stress concentration and the characteristic of multiaxial non-proportion, it is difficult to calculate the stress-strain status and the critical plane position of geometric discontinuity structure by theory method. In this paper, a new numerical simulation method is proposed to determine the critical plane of geometric discontinuity structure under multiaxial loading. Firstly, the strain status of dangerous point is analyzed by finite element method. Secondly, the maximum shear strain amplitude of arbitrary plane is calculated using coordinate transformation principle. Finally, the plane which has the maximum shear strain amplitude is defined as the critical plane. The critical plane positions are analyzed when loading mode and notch parameters are different. Meanwhile, the relationship between notch depth and associated parameters on critical plane as well as that between loading amplitude and associated parameters on critical plane are given quantitatively.