A fretting fatigue crack detection feasibility study using shear wave non-destructive inspection

A study was conducted to assess the viability of using ultrasonic shear wave non-destructive inspection (NDI) methods to detect fatigue cracks nucleating in the vicinity of a contact regionin situ. Use of this method is hampered by the presence of electronic and acoustic noise in the laboratory environment and by the contact in the experimental configuration. A previously established fretting fatigue test fixture was selected, in which nominally flat pads are held in contact against a thin, flat specimen and gross sliding between the pad and specimen is eliminated. Experiments were performed with Ti-6Al-4V at 300 Hz andR=0.5 for average clamping stresses of 200 and 620 MPa, and applied fatigue stresses of 330 and 250 MPa. The shear wave response was monitored during each test, and the test was interrupted when changes in the waveform were thought to indicate a crack. Also, the effect of the contact load and the sensitivity of the technique under the contact conditions were assessed. For the lower clamping stress, a sizeable portion of life was spent nucleating cracks, and the propagation life was too short to allow interruption of the tests. At the higher clamping stress, cracks with surface lengths of ∼2.5 mm were detected on, 10 mm wide specimens in tests conducted using the shear wave NDI technique. While the presence of the contact produced changes in the ultrasonic waveform, additional changes occurred as the crack propagated that permitted crack detection. A simple waveform correlation was used post-test to quantify the waveform changes, and thereby validate the viability of this NDI method for use in contact regions. In the configuration used for this study, the shear wave NDI technique was insensitive to small cracks. Some refinements that could dramatically improve crack detection capability are discussed. The original color figures found in this article can be seen in the online verson of this article, or can be obtained from A. Hutson.     

含多源损伤的胶接修补结构有限元分析方法

采用有限元法研究含多源损伤结构的胶接修补问题,利用二维三层有限元模型对损伤区进行了数值模拟,并选取典型多源损伤情况中含共线双裂纹铝板结构为算例,详细分析了含多裂纹胶接修补结构中两裂纹相对位置、补片尺寸、铺层和厚度对应力强度因子的影响.结果表明,复合材料胶接修补可明显降低含共线双裂纹母板的应力强度因子;对于确定的裂纹和应力场,应对复合材料补片长度和厚度等参数进行优化设计,以获得最佳的修补效果.     

Ultrasonic detection and measurement of fatigue cracks in notched specimens

An ultrasonic technique was developed and used to observe the formation and growth of fatigue cracks in notched cylindrical specimens subjected to reversed axial cyclic loading. Fatigue curves of life-to-initial detectable cracks as well as life-to-fracture were obtained for an aluminum-, a titanium- and a cobaltbase alloy, as well as a maraging steel. Depth of initially detectable cracks ranged between approximately 0.0005 and 0.004 in. (0.013 and 0.10 mm). Curves were also obtained relating ultrasonic system output voltage to crack depth up to 0.030 in. (0.76 mm) for three materials. These curves were used to demonstrate the capability of the device for monitoring crack growth.     

缺口试样疲劳短裂纹行为研究

采用复型方法对中碳结构钢单边钝缺口试样的非穿透和穿透疲劳短裂纹的演化过程进行了研究。结果表明：试样的疲劳破坏主要是由形成于缺口根部的表面短裂纹扩展引起的；形成穿透裂纹以前的短裂纹形成和扩展过程占试样疲劳寿命的７０％以上；线弹性断裂力学不适合于描述表面裂纹和穿透裂纹早期阶段的扩展特性；某些条件下，裂纹初始几何形状的影响是导致穿透裂纹早期扩展出现奇异特性的主要原因。     

Low-cycle fatigue-crack indications by strain gages operating in elastic strain fields

This paper describes the response of bonded electrical-resistance strain gages to low-cycle fatigue cracking of four, cyclically pressurized, boxlike structures. The strain-pressure “signatures” of gages installed on flexural parts of the structures were recorded semicontinuously. By observing the changes in signatures of certain gages, it was possible to follow indirectly the initiation and propagation of internal low-cycle fatigue cracks. The described technique appears feasible as a crack-detection system, or as an adjunct to some other type of damage-warning system. It is suggested that the sensitivity and accuracy of this technique make it possible to substitute “crack initiation” for “through cracking” as a criterion for fatigue failure in design.     

Acoustic emission monitoring of crack propagation in additively manufactured and conventional titanium components

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a novel and innovative production technology that can produce complex and lightweight engineering products. In AM components, as in all engineering materials, fatigue is considered as one of the principle causes of unexpected failure. In order to detect, localise and characterise cracks in various material components and metals, acoustic emission (AE) is used as a non-destructive monitoring technique. One of the main advantages of AE is that it can be also used for dynamic damage characterisation and specifically for crack propagation monitoring. In this research, we use AE to monitor the fatigue crack growth behaviour of Ti6Al4V components under four-point bending. The samples were produced by means of AM as well as conventional material. Notched and unnotched specimens were investigated with respect to the crack severity and crack detection using AE. The main AE signal parameters –such as cumulative events, hits, duration, average frequency and rise time– were evaluated and indicate sensitivity to damage propagation in order to lead to a warning against the final fracture occurrence. This is the first time that AE is applied in AM components under fatigue.     

Fatigue life enhancement of structures using shape optimisation

The paper proposes a new approach for shape optimisation with fatigue life as the design objective. Conventional designs often incorporate stress optimisation that aims at reducing stress concentrations around a structural boundary by minimising the peak stress. However, this is only an effective and sufficient measure for an ‘ideal’ or ‘flaw-less’ structure. It is a well-known fact that flaws (cracks) are inevitably present in most structures. This emphasises the need to investigate the influence of cracks on optimised shapes. Numerical modelling of cracks using the Finite Element Method requires a fine mesh to model the singularity at crack tips, which makes fracture calculations computationally expensive. Furthermore, for a damage tolerance based optimisation, numerous cracks are to be considered at various arbitrary locations in a structure, and fatigue life evaluation needs to be repeated for each crack at every iteration. This makes the optimisation process extremely computationally inefficient for practical purpose. Moreover, the lack of information concerning crack size, orientation, and location makes the formulation of the optimisation problem difficult. As a result, there has been inadequate research to consider fracture parameters, such as fatigue life, in the optimisation objective. To address this, the paper presents an approach for the shape optimisation of damage tolerant structures with fatigue life as the design constraint.The damage tolerance based optimisation was performed using a number of nonlinear programming algorithms, namely the Broydon-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) method, the Fletcher Reeves (Conjugate Direction) method, and the Sequential Unconstrained Minimisation Technique (SUMT). These methods were extended for optimising the fatigue life in the presence of numerous surface cracks. A significant enhancement in fatigue life was achieved for various crack cases consisting of different initial and final crack sizes. It is shown that the fatigue life optimised shapes can be considerably different from the corresponding stress optimised solution. This emphasises the need to explicitly consider fatigue life as a distinct design objective when optimising damage tolerant structures. A fatigue life optimisation leads to the generation of a ‘near uniform’ fatigue critical surface. The design space near the ‘optimal’ region was found to be relatively flat. This means that the precise identification of the local/global optimum solution is not critical, because a significant structural performance enhancement can be achieved in the ‘near’ optimal region. An additional benefit of fatigue life optimisation is that the resulting optimised shapes may even be lighter than the stress optimised designs. To verify the optimal solutions obtained using the nonlinear programming algorithms, the results were compared with those obtained using a heuristic optimisation method (Biological algorithm). The solutions predicted by both the methods, employing inherently different (gradient-based and gradient-less) algorithms, were found to agree very well.     

CTOA and crack-tunneling measurements in thin sheet 2024-T3 aluminum alloy

The stable tearing behavior of 2.3-mm thick sheets of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy was experimentally investigated for middle crack tension specimens having initial flaws that were: (a) flat fatigue cracks (low fatigue stress) and (b) 45-deg through-thickness slant cracks (high fatigue stress). The critical CTOA values during stable tearing were measured by two independent methods, optical microscopy and digital-image correlation. Results from the two methods agree well.The CTOA measurements and observations of the fracture surfaces have shown that the initial stable tearing behavior of low and high fatigue stress tests is significantly different. The cracks in the low fatigue stress tests underwent a transition from flat-to-slant crack growth, during which the CTOA values were high and significant crack tunneling occurred. After crack growth equal to about the thickness (a>B), CTOA reached a constant value of 6 deg and after crack growth equal to about twice the thickness (a>2B), crack tunneling stabilized. The cracks in the high fatigue stress tests reach the same constant CTOA value after crack growth equal to about the thickness, but produced only slightly higher CTOA values during initial crack growth. The amount of tunneling in the high fatigue stress tests was about the same as that in the low fatigue stress tests after the flat-to-slant transition.This study indicates that stress history has an influence on the initial portion of the stable tearing behavior. The initial high CTOA values, in the low fatigue crack tests, coincided with large three-dimensional crack front shape changes due to a variation in the through-thickness crack-tip constraint. The measured CTOA reached a constant value of 6 deg for crack growth of about the specimen thickness. This coincided with the onset of 45-deg slant crack growth and a stabilized, slightly tunneled (about 20 percent of the thickness) crack-front shape. For crack growth on the 45-deg slant, the crack front and local field variables are still highly three dimensional.     

The influence of biaxial stresses on high-cycle fatigue-crack propagation

Arising from a design study, an examination has been made of the problems associated with evaluating the fatigue behavior of an I-beam section joined to a transverse stiffener, loaded in biaxial bending. A laboratory test rig has been designed to study high-frequency (40–230 Hz) fatigue-crack propagation in the tensile flange of a composite aluminum I-section, for a range of stress biaxiality ratios (λ) from 0 to +1 (equibiaxial tension), λ being varied by adjusting the ratios of loading spans in the two orthogonal axes for the same amount of uniaxial deflection. The results obtained are considered in the context of the significantly contradictory information currently available in the literature. Crack geometry and test procedure (as influenced by load/stress measurement) are found to considerably influence the effect of biaxial stresses on fatigue. Thus, the growth rate of corner-initiated cracks increases with increasing stress biaxiality (monitored in terms of nominal applied stresses), but the reverse is true for center-cracked specimens. When tests are conducted in terms of combinations of local stresses, or data reduced using corrections, there is no significant effect of biaxial stresses on fatigue-crack growth.     

Surface acoustic wave measurements of small fatigue cracks initiated from a surface cavity

A model for the low frequency scattering of a surface acoustic wave by a surface cylindrical cavity with two corner cracks is presented. It is applied to determine the depth of the small fatigue cracks initiated from a pit-type surface flaw. The general scattering formalism based on the elastodynamic reciprocity principle is employed. The effect of the cylindrical cavity on the surface wave reflection from cracks is considered using an approximate stress intensity factor for the corner cracks. In situ surface acoustic wave measurements have been performed during fatigue tests for an Al 2024-T3 sample. The surface wave signal was acquired continuously at different cyclic load levels. The model is verified by comparing calculated reflection signals and spectra with those from experiments. The depths of fully and partially open cracks are determined from the predicted and the measured surface wave reflections. The surface wave reflection is observed to be sensitive to crack closure.     

物理短裂纹疲劳扩展的Markov链模拟

使用Ｍａｒｋｏｖ链理论，基于１６Ｍｎ钢小试样疲劳裂纹扩展试验，构造了一个物理短裂纹扩展的概率演化模型。该模型对裂纹扩展的循环数分布以及分布的演化过程的模拟，表明了与实验结果良好的吻合程度，从而为物理短裂纹扩展的概率分析及可靠性评价提供了手段。     

Thermography Applied to the Study of Fatigue Crack Propagation in Polycarbonate

Thermography was used to study the propagation of fatigue cracks during cyclic loading of pre-cracked SAE keyhole polycarbonate specimens. A micro-bolometer infrared camera (FLIR A655sc) and a commercially available software program (DeltaTherm2) were employed. The stress intensity factors were determined using a hybrid thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) technique. The crack growth rate was determined via thermography using two different approaches. The first approach used the output of the crack-tip position from the developed TSA algorithm and the number of cycles between data sets. The second approach used temperature measurement as a new way to determine da/dN (crack growth rate) directly. As a result, da/dN vs ΔK (stress intensity factor range) graphs were plotted and fitted using Paris’ law. A comparison between the resultant da/dN vs ΔK curves and results found in the literature, as well as curves from the finite element method (FEM) simulations showed good agreement. The conclusion was that thermography is a very powerful tool that can detect, measure and monitor fatigue cracks in polycarbonate.     

表面裂纹疲劳扩展的数值模拟(Ⅱ)

根据Paris疲劳裂纹扩展规律,对拉伸和纯弯曲疲劳载荷下表面裂纹扩展进行了数值模拟。数值模型中,用三次样条函数曲线拟合裂纹尖端,在裂纹扩展增量计算中考虑了裂纹闭合影响。裂纹形状演化的模拟结果与Newman和Raju经验公式预测结果进行了比较,表明了所采用的数值模拟方法的实用性。研究发现,裂纹闭合对疲劳裂纹扩展过程中的裂纹形状演化以及裂纹尖端的应力强度因子(SIF)分布都有明显影响。同裂纹形状演化一样,疲劳裂纹扩展过程中裂纹尖端的SIF分布表现出明显的特征。最后,建议了一个简单函数来统一描述表面裂纹尖端的SIF分布。     

Edge cracks in plastically deforming surface grains

A selection of surface crack problems is presented to provide insights into Stage I and early Stage II fatigue crack growth. Edge cracks at 45^o and 90^o to the surface are considered for cracks growing in single crystals. Both single crystal slip and conventional plasticity are employed as constitutive models. Edge cracks at 45^o to the surface are considered that either (i) kink in the direction perpendicular to the surface, or (ii) approach a grain boundary across which only elastic deformations occur.     

Crack Patching: Analysis and Design

Bonded composite patches are frequently used to retard crack growth. This repair procedure is usually referred to as crack patching. The present paper outlines the various methods for the analysis and design of fiber composite patches in thin and thick structures. As illustrative examples the repair of fatigue cracks in the wing skins of Mirage III aircraft, of surface flaws in Macchi landing wheels, and of cracks in a truss is considered.     

原始组织对ER9车轮钢滚动接触疲劳性能的影响

利用双盘滚动接触疲劳试验机对原始组织分别为片状珠光体+先共析铁素体(P+PF)和回火索氏体(TS)的ER9车轮钢试样进行滚动接触疲劳试验,并对结果进行了分析。结果表明:在油润滑条件下,原始P+PF试样的滚动接触疲劳寿命是TS试样的2.8倍.?其原因是原始的P+PF的试样表面存在厚约1?μm的机加工细晶层,而TS试样无明显细晶层,在疲劳过程中,P+PF试样会优先在细晶层内萌生浅层裂纹并平行于表面扩展形成浅层剥落,而后在细晶层剥落的区域萌生疲劳裂纹,而TS试样则直接在试样表面萌生疲劳裂纹.?经过1×105周次在空气中的预磨损后,两种不同原始组织的试样表面均被强化,滚动接触疲劳寿命均有大幅度的提升.?但由于P+PF试样预磨损过程中机加工细晶层的剥落以及产生了少量的疲劳磨损,部分疲劳磨损裂纹成为滚动接触疲劳裂纹的裂纹源,而预磨损后的TS试样的表层形成分布更为均匀的细晶层,故预磨损后的TS试样的滚动接触疲劳寿命远高于P+PF试样.      

Predicting the fatigue life and crack aspect ratio evolution in complex structures

This paper discusses a computationally efficient method for determining the behaviour of complex structures containing three-dimensional cracks. A simple method is presented for calculating the mode I stress intensities for semi-elliptical cracks emanating from the saddle point of two intersecting tubular members. This method, which gives results in good agreement with published values, uses the finite element technique, but does not require the crack to be modelled explicitly. The technique is then used, in conjunction with FASTRAN II, to study fatigue crack growth and the results are compared to experimental data. Good agreement is achieved between both the predicted and measured fatigue crack growth and the evolution of the crack aspect ratios.     

LY12铝疲劳裂纹在冲击载荷下的演化研究

对LY12铝合金在低周疲劳条件下的裂纹情况和随后进行的动态拉伸条件下裂纹的发展给予了观察和统计分析，发现裂纹的累积数密度分布在损伤演化过程中保持指数形式，用NAG模型对实验结果进行分析，得出该材料裂纹演化发展方程的各种参数。     

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在空气和腐蚀介质中对低合金钢分别的进行疲劳试验,获得了S-N曲线,并对疲劳试样表面和断口形貌进行了观察。结果表明：与空气相比,腐蚀介质使低合金钢的疲劳强度显著降低;空气中疲劳试样只有一个萌生于试样表面基体的裂纹源,而腐蚀介质中的疲劳试样一般有多个裂纹源,多数裂纹源均萌生于点蚀坑;空气中疲劳裂纹扩展区以疲劳辉纹为主,而腐蚀疲劳则以沿晶开裂等脆性特征为主;此外还对空气中的疲劳极限进行了预测,预测值与试验值比较吻合     

Relating geologic units and mobility system kinematics contributing to Curiosity wheel damage at Gale Crater,Mars

Curiosity landed on plains to the north of Mount Sharp in August 2012. By June 2016 the rover had traversed 12.9 km to the southwest, encountering extensive strata that were deposited in a fluvial-deltaic-lacustrine system. Initial drives across sharp sandstone outcrops initiated an unacceptably high rate of punctures and cracks in the thin aluminum wheel skin structures. Initial damage was found to be related to the drive control mode of the six wheel drive actuators and the kinematics of the rocker-bogie suspension. Wheels leading a suspension pivot were forced onto sharp, immobile surfaces by the other wheels as they maintained their commanded angular velocities. Wheel damage mechanisms such as geometry-induced stress concentration cracking and low-cycle fatigue were then exacerbated. A geomorphic map was generated to assist in planning traverses that would minimize further wheel damage. A steady increase in punctures and cracks between landing and June 2016 was due in part because of drives across the sharp sandstone outcrops that could not be avoided. Wheel lifetime estimates show that with careful path planning the wheels will be operational for an additional ten kilometers or more, allowing the rover to reach key strata exposed on the slopes of Mount Sharp.