Two simplified methods for fatigue crack growth prediction under compression-compression cyclic loading

Abstract

Submersibles and submarines are subject to cyclic compressive sea loading during their service life, which is quite different from the ships and platforms under tensile and bending loading. It is important to study the fatigue crack propagation under cyclic compression in order to assess the fatigue life of the submersible and submarine. An extended McEvily model is proposed for the fatigue crack growth prediction under cyclic compression-compression loading. First, Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation and a simplified stress estimation method are proposed for efficient fatigue crack growth analysis. In the Finite Element Method simulation, the crack opening loads of different crack lengths are calculated individually instead of plastic wake calculation behind crack tip with node releasing technique, which will save a lot of calculating time. Afterwards the fatigue life under cyclic compression is predicted based on new fatigue crack growth rate curve model for cyclic compression. Meanwhile the analytical method is an engineering estimation for fatigue crack growth under constant amplitude compression. In this method, the crack opening load is estimated based on the symmetry of compression and tension. Then the fatigue life under cyclic compression is also predicted based on a new model for cyclic compression. Finally, fatigue life prediction of a double edged specimen under cyclic compressive loading is taken for example to illustrate the analysis procedure of two simplified methods. By comparing the predicted results with the test data, it is found that the a-N curve and final crack length by two methods are in good agreement with the test data, so the Finite Element Method and analytical method are reasonable and feasible for fatigue crack growth prediction of deepwater structure under cyclic compression.