Fretting nucleation models and three-dimensional finite element analyses are used to compute the fretting fatigue life for metallic components. The models predict crack nucleation cycles and location(s). Discrete crack growth simulations provide stress intensity factor histories, with multiple, non-planar, three-dimensional cracks possible. The histories are input into crack growth rate model(s...

The crack growth properties of several sealing glasses were measured by using constant stress rate testing in 2% and 95% RH (relative humidity). Crack growth parameters measured in high humidity are systematically smaller (n and B) than those measured in low humidity, and crack velocities for dry environments are 100 lower than for wet environments. The crack velocity is very sensitivity to sma...

This paper presents a new incremental formulation for predicting the curved growth paths of twodimensional fatigue cracks. The displacement and traction boundary integral equations (BIEs) are employed to calculate responses of a linear elastic cracked body. The Paris law and the principle of local symmetry are adopted for defining the growth rate and direction of a fatigue crack, respectively. ...

Cracks can occur in the articular cartilage surface due to the mechanical loading of the synovial joint, trauma or wear and tear. However, the propagation of such cracks under different frequencies of loading is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of frequency of loading on the growth of a pre-existing crack in cartilage specimens subjected to cyclic tensile strain....

Abstract: To ensure the rail transportations safety, evaluation of fatigue behavior of the rail steel is necessary. High cycle fatigue behaviour of a rail steel was the subject of investigation in this research using fracture mechanics. Finite element method (FEM) was used for analyzing the distribution of the stresses on the rail, exerted by the external load. FEM analysis showed that the ...

A plasticity-induced crack-closure model was used to study fatigue crack growth and closure in thin 2024-T3 aluminum alloy under constant-R and constant-Kmax threshold testing procedures. Two methods of calculating crack-opening stresses were compared. One method was based on contact-K analyses and the other on contact crack-openingdisplacement (COD) analyses. These methods gave nearly identica...

Ultrasonic methods have been implemented for in situ sizing of fatigue cracks near fastener holes. These techniques, however, only provide an estimate at the time of the measurement and cannot predict the remaining life of the structure. In contrast, statistical crack propagation approaches model the expected fatigue life based on worst-case fatigue process assumptions. The authors have recentl...

A major part of fracture mechanics is concerned with studying the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks. This typically requires constant monitoring of crack growth during fatigue cycles which necessitates automation of the whole process. If the rate of crack growth can be determined the experimenter can vary externally controlled parameters such as load level, load cycle frequency and s...

In this study, the pitting type of corrosion growth characteristics, fatigue crack initiation and propagation behavior; axial fatigue tests were carried out on precipitation hardened martensitic Custom 450 steel in the air and 3.5wt% NaCl solution. Using the ratio of the depth to the half-width of the pits; (a/c)= 1.5±0.2 the corrosion pit depth growth law was obtained as a function of stress a...

In this study, single-edge cracked uniaxial specimens with an initial crack length of 0.1 in or 0.3 in and wedge-shaped sheet specimens with an initial crack length of 0.3 in were tested at a constant displacement rate of 50 in/min under 1000 psi confining pressure. The specimens were made of a highly filled polymeric material, containing 86% by weight of hard particles embedded in a rubbery ma...