Yet Another Approach to Fatigue Crack Growth Simulation

Abstract

The analysis of a material that is subjected to variable loads is a complex subject and generally treated separately by fatigue and fracture mechanics. We present an attempt to extend the validity of conventional fatigue approach (here strain-life) in the scope fracture. This was achieved by introducing a zero thickness cohesive contact element coupled with a damage parameter that was developed from material observations of strain controlled fatigue experiments. The presented simulation framework results in a predictable crack growth direction on a compact tension specimen, although further experimentation is needed to validate the proposed approach.