Abstract
Abstract— The problem of the nucleation and growth of short fatigue cracks is addressed from an energetic point of view. It is explained that vanishingly small cracks can only nucleate and grow at the expense of the release of some locally stored energy during the fatigue deformation. This is necessary because an external loading system alone cannot provide a positive driving force for the growth of a crack whose length is below a critical value. The concept of the local driving force is used to explain the nucleation and growth of short fatigue cracks both at plain surfaces and at notches. With this approach a meaningful definition can be given of a “short fatigue crack” and a sound physical interpretation of the Kitagawa‐Takahashi plots is provided. The conditions for the existence of non‐propagating cracks are clearly established and the relationship between the stress concentration factor at the root of notches and the fatigue limit is explained. The paper sets up a physical framework for the sound understanding and treatment of short fatigue cracks and the microstructural parameters which control their growth.
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 callMore From: Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials & Structures
Disclaimer: 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.
