Computational analysis of a surface corner crack under cyclic loading

Abstract

The deterioration due to surface cracks-like flaws is an important phenomenon for the safety point of view. Thus, the main aim of the present research work is to investigate the plate failure caused by a quarter-elliptical corner crack under cyclic loading. A developed analytical algorithm integrates fracture-mechanics-based formulae, and allows to relate the crack growth rate together with the stress intensity at the crack tip and to estimate the fatigue life of structural components. Experimentally verified outcomes show that the proposed computational algorithm represents a powerful tool in the fatigue failure design.