Abstract
The relative importance of crack closure and residual stresses on fatigue crack growth (FCG), which is controversial, is studied here. FCG is predicted numerically in CT specimens of Ti-6Al-4V alloy submitted to single overloads, assuming that crack tip plastic strain is the driving force. The numerical procedure, which includes the effects of crack tip blunting, material hardening, crack closure and partial crack closure, was found to be very robust and to give correct trends. The high strength material studied showed relatively small overload affected zones (<0.5 mm), which is even more pronounced under plane strain conditions. The comparison of numerical results with and without contact of crack flanks showed that crack closure is responsible for the effect of overloads on FCG rate behaviour, while the effect of residual stresses is not relevant for the material studied. The transient behaviour obtained after an overload is unattainable without considering the contact of the crack flanks.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
