Linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) analysis of the effect of residual stress on fatigue crack propagation rate

Abstract

In this research, both residual and applied stresses are converted to stress intensity factors independently and combined using the superposition principle. The fatigue crack propagation rates are predicted. Experiments using two different loading modes, constant applied stress intensity factor (SIF) range, and constant applied load modes are done for samples with and without initial tensile residual stresses. The samples with initial tensile residual stresses exhibit accelerations of the crack propagation rates. The results show that the weight function method combined with the three-component model provides a good prediction of fatigue crack propagation rates in tensile residual stress fields.