Fatigue strength estimation of edge notched components

Abstract

The objective of the present paper is to develop a mathematical model for simulation of the fatigue life of edge notched component with semi-elliptical crack. For this purpose authors used adequate criteria. Applied criteria are based on the fact that during cyclic loading near the crack tip, plastic deformations occur and they leave behind the crack tip at a growing crack. Moreover, knowledge of the crack tip stress intensity factor as a function of applied load and geometry of the structure is necessary for fatigue life evaluation of cracked structures. In this paper, the stress intensity factors are examined using analytical and numerical approaches. As a numerical approach finite element method is applied. A proposed mathematical model is validated using results of available experiments. A comparison of the numerically determined fatigue crack growth life with the experimental data shows a good agreement.