Crack Growth Model for Estimating the Fatigue Life under Variable loading

Abstract

This paper examines the fatigue short and long cracks behaviour in 2024 T4 aluminum alloy under rotating bending loading and stress ratio R = -1. In the short cracks region, cracks grow initially at a fast rate but deceleration occurs quickly and, depending on the stress level, they either arrest or are temporarily halted at a critical length. This critical length is shown to conincide with the value of the microstructure parameter, grain size diameter, An empirical model which describes short and long cracks rates is developed and is seen in good agreement with the experimental observations in this alloy. Comparison of the empirical model lives results with cumulative fatigue results has shown encouraging experimentally agreement while liner rule gave a non – reasonable prediction.

Keywords

• crack growth
• life prediction
• miner rule
• variable loading