A unification of small- and large-crack growth laws

Authors: Hamm R.W.; Johnson W.S.

Source: Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials & Structures, Volume 22, Number 8, August 1999 , pp. 711-722(12)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

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Abstract:

A generalized model enhancement is proposed to link small- and large-crack growth laws. The enhancement is based on crack growth rate laws with crack tip plastic zone size formulations. Transition functions are used to transform small-crack plastic zone sizes and crack growth law exponents to those predicted by linear-elastic fracture mechanics. In doing so, influences on crack growth, e.g. constraint, crack aspect ratio and specimen geometry are accounted for. The applicability of the enhancement is directed toward instances where small cracks start from geometric features and grow through stress gradients to eventually become large cracks under nominal LEFM conditions. The enhancement is applied to the Wang model, and crack growth rate and fatigue lifetime predictions are made. The enhancement is shown to provide a good correlation to experimental results for Ti–6Al–4V under various maximum stresses at a stress ratio of R = 0.4.

Keywords: small cracks; microstructural fracture mechanics; elastic–; plastic fracture mechanics; linear-elastic fracture mechanics; modelling; plastic zone size

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1460-2695.1999.t01-1-00149.x

Affiliations: 1: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0245, USA

Publication date: 1999-08-01