An engineering predictive approach of fatigue crack growth behavior: The case of the lug-type joint

The present attempt proposes a predictive approach of the fatigue crack growth (FCG) behavior of a lug-type joint used in an aeronautic context. The crack tip residual stress distribution and material dispersions are considered. The developed approach was implemented by coupling the Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM), the Residual Corrected Stress Intensity Factor (RC-SIF), developed by the authors, and the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method. The Lemaitre–Chaboche model, developed upon the ABAQUS commercial code, was considered for characterizing material behavior. The developed approach treats FCG life by considering the stochastic behavior of material parameters and the crack tip residual stress field during propagation. Comparing with experimental data, the proposed approach exhibits a good ability in evaluating the FCG reliability of a cracked lug-type joint subjected to different loading conditions. The iso-probabilistic P–a–N curves can be used as an efficient tool for ensuring the safety behavior of cracked components.