Equivalent Fatigue Zone in a Notched Elements Determined by Use of Non-Local Line Method with Weight Function

Abstract

The work presents non-local line method by which the equivalent fatigue zones were designated. These zones are one-dimensional efficient lengths in which operating stress variables cause initiation of fatigue cracks. The algorithm of the presented method considers the issues of multi-axial stress state, critical plane and weighting function. Calculations of stresses in the test element were performed by using the FEM assuming cyclic material properties, which are described with the model for multi-linear hardening. The empirical lifetime of elements with a notch was assumed to define length of the crack amounting to 0.1 mm. As the result of calculations, the dependence of effective length on nominal stress and radius of the notch was determined.