STUDY ON THE SURFACE CRACK GROWTH BEHAVIOR IN 14MnNbq BRIDGE STEEL

Three-dimensional crack closure correction methods are investigated in this paper.The fatigue crack growth tests of surface cracks in 14MnNbq steel for bridge plate subjected to tensile and bending loadings are systematically conducted.The experimentally measured fatigue crack growth rates of surface cracks are compared with those of through-thickness cracks in detail.It is found that the crack growth rates of surface cracks are lower than those of through-thickness cracks.In order to correct their differences in fatigue crack growth rates, a dimensionless crack closure correction model is proposed.Although this correction model is determined only by the experimental data of surface cracks under tensile loading with a constant ratio R=0.05, it can correlate the surface crack growth rates with reasonable accuracy under tensile and bending loadings with various stress ratios ranging from 0 to 0.5.Furthermore, predictions of fatigue life and crack aspect ratio for surface cracks are discussed, and the predicted results are also compared with those obtained from other prediction approaches.Comparison results show that the proposed crack closure correction model gives better prediction of fatigue life than other models.     

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。     

Investigation on 3D fatigue crack propagation in surface-cracked specimens

In the present work the fatigue crack growth in AISI304 specimens is investigated experimentally. In 3D finite element analysis the virtual crack closure technique is applied to calculate distributions and variations of the stress intensity factor along the surface crack front. It is confirmed that the stress intensity factor along the surface crack front varies non-uniformly with crack growth. Crack growth rate is proportional to the stress intensity factor distribution in the 3D cracked specimen. The fatigue crack growth in surface cracked specimens can be described by the Forman model identified in conventional compact tension specimens. For crack growth in the free specimen surface the arc length seems more suitable to quantify crack progress. Geometry and loading configuration of the surface cracked specimen seem to not affect the fatigue crack growth substantially.     

基于裂纹闭合效应的高载迟滞预测模型修正

裂纹闭合效应通常是导致I 型裂纹扩展在高载作用下发生迟滞效应的主要因素之一．本文采用汽车薄板QSTE340TM 材料，针对不同应力比，高载比条件下疲劳裂纹扩展行为进行了实验研究．论文通过断面分析，针对各参数对裂纹闭合效应的具体影响进行了分析讨论，认为裂纹作用区域随裂纹扩展而动态变化，从而提出了一种对有效应力强度因子幅的修正方法．通过在原有模型中引入幂函数形式的动态变量α，表征裂纹闭合效应的作用比例随裂纹长度的动态变化，取得了较好的效果．     

Experimental studies on the effect of overload on fatigue crack growth

The fatigue crack growth behavior resulting from a single overload is investigated. In order to clarify the mechanism of overload on fatigue crack growth, the processes of crack closure and opening and their stress levels are monitored by strain gages placed on the back surface of specimens, and the fracture surface morphologies are examined by the microfractography. Experimental results may be used to explain quantitatively the mechanisms of retardation and delayed retardation after a single overload.     

负超载对Al-2024疲劳裂纹扩展的影响

本文讨论了负超载对Al-2024铝合金材料疲劳裂纹扩展的影响,试验发现在大量负超载循环周次之后也有裂纹停滞现象发生。这种停滞现象的产生与剪切唇的形成有关。本文发现负超载期间的剪切唇(简称剪切唇Ⅰ)和负超载之后的剪切唇(简称剪切唇Ⅱ)对疲劳裂纹扩展速率影响的程度不同。从裂纹闭合的观点建立了负超载对疲劳裂纹扩展影响的计算模型。     

DETERMINATION OF CRACK SURFACE DISPLACEMENTS FOR A RADIAL CRACK EMANATING FROM A SEMI-CIRCULAR NOTCH USING WEIGHT FUNCTION METHOD

A radial crack emanating from a semi-circular notch is of significant engineering importance. Accurate determination of key fracture mechanics parameters is essential for damage tolerance design and fatigue crack growth life predictions. The purpose of this paper is to provide an efficient and accurate closed-form weight function approach to the calculation of crack surface displacements for a radial crack emanating from a semi-circular notch in a semi-infinite plate.Results are presented for two load conditions: remote applied stress and uniform stress segment applied to crack surfaces. Based on a correction of stress intensity factor ratio, highly accurate analytical equations of crack surface displacements under the two load conditions are developed by fitting the data obtained with the weight function method. It is demonstrated that the WuCarlsson closed-form weight functions are very efficient, accurate and easy-to-use for calculating crack surface displacements for arbitrary load conditions. The method will facilitate fatigue crack closure and other fracture mechanics analyses where accurate crack surface displacements are required.     

A cyclic steady-state method for fatigue crack propagation: Evaluation of plasticity-induced crack closure in 3D

The numerical study of plasticity-induced crack closure using the node-release technique presents many difficulties widely studied in literature. For instance various rules, proposed for overcoming mesh sensitivity, are challenged by more recent studies. This paper intends to propose and evaluate a numerical method for the investigation of crack propagation under fatigue loading, and particularly for the assessment of plasticity-induced crack closure in three-dimension. The method is an extension of the “steady-state method” to cyclic loadings. The steady-state method allows a direct computation (on a fixed mesh, without releasing nodes) of stress and strain fields around the crack tip and in the wake for a steady crack growth. The method is extended to simulate crack propagation under fatigue loading. Therefore it constitutes a valuable numerical tool for gaining insight into the physics of crack propagation, as it provides accurate mechanical fields around the crack tip and their relation with crack growth rate, various loading modes and parameters. The proposed method is also compared with the classical node-release technique. A very good agreement between the two methods is found. However the steady-state method needs much less mesh refinement and computational time. Following an analysis of some features of the fatigue crack, a discussion on a crack closure criterion is opened, and a reliable criterion for the determination of local crack closure is proposed.     

Application of effective stress intensity factor crack closure model to evaluate train load sequence effects on crack growth rates

An effective stress intensity factor crack closure model is studied in relation to results of laboratory spectrum crack growth tests on compact tension specimens (CTS) fabricated from rail steel. Comparison of model predictions with test results for crack growth life is effected by means of an analysis of a center-cracked tension panel (CCT) subjected to an equivalent stress spectrum. The trends of the model predictions and test results agree as to the effect of changing cycle order in the spectrum, but the actual effect on crack growth life in the laboratory tests is found to be much stronger than the effect predicted by the crack closure model using the effective stress intensity factor.     

A reexamination of plasticity-induced crack closure in fatigue crack propagation

The crack closure concept is often used to consider the R-ratio and overload effects on fatigue crack growth. The presumption is that when the crack is closed, the external load produces negligible fatigue damage in the cracked component. The current investigation provides a reassessment of the frequently used concept with an emphasis on the plasticity-induced crack closure. A center cracked specimen made of 1070 steel was investigated. The specimen was subjected to plane-stress mode I loading. An elastic–plastic stress analysis was conducted for the cracked specimens using the finite element method. By applying the commonly used one-node-per-cycle debonding scheme for the crack closure simulations, it was shown that the predicted crack opening load did not stabilize when the extended crack was less than four times of the plastic zone size. The predicted opening load was strongly influenced by the plasticity model used. When the elastic–perfectly plastic (EPP) stress–strain relationship was used together with the kinematic hardening plasticity theory, the predicted crack opening load was found to be critically dependent on the element size of the finite element mesh model. For R = 0, the predicted crack opening load was greatly reduced when the finite element size became very fine. The kinematic hardening rule with the bilinear (BL) stress–strain relationship predicted crack closure with less dependence on the element size. When a recently developed cyclic plasticity model was used, the element size effect on the predicted crack opening level was insignificant. While crack closure may occur, it was demonstrated that cyclic plasticity persisted in the material near the crack tip. The cyclic plasticity was reduced but not negligible when the crack was closed. The traditional approaches may have overestimated the effect of crack closure in fatigue crack growth predictions.     

随机载荷下疲劳裂纹的闭合和扩展估算模型

本文分析了裂尖前,后方塑性区对闭合性能的影响,提出从裂尖塑性钝化量和尾迹区残余塑性变形两个方面来确定裂纹面的残余变形,并讨论了压缩载荷对闭合应力的影响,由此建立了一个疲劳裂纹闭合模型,然后通过模型“有限记忆”性质的假定将它应用到随机加载情况。用此模型对铝合金2219——T851受飞机谱载荷的CCT平面应力试件进行了疲劳寿命估算,估算值与实验结果接近。     

Crack opening and closure under the action of mechanical and thermal loads

Under general loading conditions, there is no guarantee that the crack surfaces will be fully open. Complete or partial closure of the crack could occur if the surrounding material is compressed. Such a phenomenon is illustrated for the situation of a single crack engulfed by a remote but uniform compressive stress field while tensile forces are applied at isolated points so that the material can counteract against the compressive field. Examples are provided illustrating partial crack closure with or without symmetry about the mid-plane normal to the crack surface. Considered will be mechanical and thermal loadings.     

连铸板坯热轧中角部裂纹变化的研究

采用有限元方法对轧件角部横向和纵向裂纹在多道次立-平轧制过程中变形行为进行了模拟,分析了裂纹的闭合与扩展行为．结果表明:采用平立辊,裂纹很好闭合,但变形程度大,可能延伸和往轧件顶面移动,对角部横向裂纹,裂纹尖端节点往外扩散,对三角形横向和纵向裂纹,裂纹可能发生折叠;采用孔型立辊,立轧后,轧件裂纹很好地闭合,平轧后,横向和侧面纵向裂纹可能被拉开,顶面纵向裂纹闭合较好,只有三角形横向裂纹可能发生折叠．     

A STUDY OF CRACK CLOSURE IN ELECTRIC-FIELD-INDUCED FATIGUE IN FERROELECTRIC CERAMICS

Considering the influence of the domain switching near the tip of a crack and apply-ing the idea of multiscale singularity fields in piezoelectric fracture,we have obtained an empiricalcriterion for the crack closure.Based on the domain switching in the electric yield region,referringto Yang's results on the small scale yield model for the electrical fatigue crack,a model of thecrack closure during electric-field-induced fatigue is developed to analyze the crack growth.Interms of the model we have obtained the formula of the rate of the crack growth under cyclicelectric loading.Finally we compare the theoretical predictions with the results given by Cao andEvans experimentally.It should be pointed out that the model proposed is empirical and needsto be verified by more experimental results.     

随机超载对疲劳裂纹扩展迟滞效应的模拟

考虑超载的迟滞效应,对随机超载作用下的疲劳裂纹扩展进行了模拟计算．载荷谱为在基本恒幅循环载荷基础上加入一以泊松流发生的随机超载序列,超载的大小为均匀分布．采用裂纹闭合模型考虑超载的迟滞效应,认为裂纹张开应力在超载引起的塑性区内按线性规律衰减．循环续循环模拟计算出裂纹从初始长度一直到疲劳破坏的扩展曲线．据此,计算了各种超载发生强度和大小下的疲劳裂纹扩展寿命的平均值与标准差。     

Delamination effects on cracked steel members reinforced by prestressed composite patch

Prestressed composite patch bonded on cracked steel section is a promising technique to reinforce cracked details or to prevent fatigue cracking on steel structural elements. It introduces compressive stresses that produce crack closure effect. Moreover, it modifies the crack geometry by bridging the crack lips and reduces the stress range at crack tip. Fatigue tests were performed on notched steel plate reinforced by CFRP strips as a step toward the validation of crack patching for fatigue life extension of riveted steel bridges. A debond crack in the adhesive–plate interface was observed by optical technique. Debond crack total strain energy release rate is computed by the modified virtual crack closure technique. A parametric analysis is performed in order to investigate the influence of some design parameters such as the composite patch Young’s modulus, the adhesive thickness and the pretension level on the adhesive–plate interface debond.     

Fatigue crack growth through residual stress fields—theoretical and experimental studies on thick-walled cylinders

Experiments are described which determined the effects of various residual stress distributions on the growth rate of fatigue cracks. For each stress distribution, the contribution (K_RS) to the net stress intensity at the crack tip is determined, and a comparison is then made with the behaviour predicted using a fracture mechanics approach based on a weight function analysis and a simple crack closure model. The example studied is a thickwalled pressure vessel containing a longitudinal crack which grows radially from the inner surface; fatigue cracks were grown under laboratory conditions in ring test specimens. sectioned from vessels which had been cold-expanded by different amounts to increase their pressure limits, and so contained various complex residual stress distributions. The experiments provide direct evidence that the effects of residual stress (and by extension, thermal stress) on the crack tip stress intensity may be modelled conveniently using weight function techniques, and can be incorporated satisfactorily in fatigue crack growth analyses.     

A model for predicting the retardation effect following a single overload

Many engineering components are subjected to variable amplitude loading history. It is well known that retardation in fatigue crack growth occurs due to application of single overloads in a constant amplitude loading block. Many models have been proposed to capture this counter intuitive phenomenon which has resulted in improved understanding of retardation effect following tensile overloads and consequently resulting in better life prediction models. The proposed study is focused on to evaluation of retardation in fatigue life due to application of a single overload. A model for prediction of crack growth and crack growth rate following single overloads is presented. Several modifications to Wheeler’s growth idea are proposed, which incorporate a consideration for effective stress intensity factor, based on Elber’s concept of crack closure, relationship between overload ratio and the Wheeler’s exponent, and fatigue growth rate calculations. The results presented here show that plastic zone interaction following overload and the consideration of crack closure explain retardation effect following a single overload. Correlation between analysis and experimental data obtained from several sources in literature show that the scheme, is robust and provides an insight into the nonlinear aspect of crack growth results. The model has been tested for 2024-T3 aluminum alloy and 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and thorough calibrations performed, established the fidelity of the program.     

Three-dimensional modeling of intersonic shear-crack growth in asymmetrically loaded unidirectional composite plates

An anisotropic cohesive model of fracture is applied to the numerical simulation of Coker and Rosakis experiments (2001). In these experiments, a unidirectional graphite–epoxy composites plate was impacted with a projectile, resulting in an intersonic shear-dominated crack growth. The simulations account for explicit crack nucleation––through a self-adaptive remeshing procedure––crack closure and frictional sliding. The parameters used in the cohesive model are obtained from quasi-static fracture experiments, and successfully predict the dynamic fracture behavior. In keeping with the experiments, the calculations indicate that there is a preferred intersonic speed for locally steady-state growth of dynamic shear cracks, provided that sufficient energy is supplied to the crack tip. The calculations also show that the crack tip can attain speeds in the vicinity of the longitudinal wave speed in the direction of the fibers, if impacted at higher speeds. In addition, a double-shock which emanates from a finite size contact region behind the crack tip is observed in the simulations. The predicted double-shock structure of the near-tip fields is in close agreement with the experimental observations. The calculations additionally predict the presence of a string of surface hot spots which arise following the passage of the crack tip. The observed and computed hot spot structures agree both in geometry as well as in the magnitude of the temperature elevation. The analysis thus suggests intermittent friction as the origin of the experimentally observed hot spots.     

A new photoelastic model for studying fatigue crack closure

The photoelastic analysis of crack tip stress intensity factors has been historically developed for use on sharp notches in brittle materials that idealize the cracked structure. This approach, while useful, is not applicable to cases where residual effects of fatigue crack development (e.g., plasticity, surface roughness) affect the applied stress intensity range. A photoelastic model of these fatigue processes has been developed using polycarbonate, which is sufficiently ductile to allow the growth of a fatigue crack. The resultant stress field has been modeled mathematically using the stress potential function approach of Muskhelishvili to predict the stresses near a loaded but closed crack in an elastic body. The model was fitted to full-field photoelastic data using a combination of a generic algorithm and the downhill simplex method. The technique offers a significant advance in the ability to characterize the behavior of fatigue cracks with plasticity-induced closure, and hence to gain new insights into the associated mechanisms.