Effect of K_<III> on Fatigue Crack Growth Behavior : Factory Roof and Fatigue Crack Growth Rate

Abstract

Mixed mode fatigue tests are conducted using surface cracked specimen. Slant surface cracked specimens are made where crack angle is 15°, 30°, 45° and 60°. It is shown that factory roof is made at deepest point of surface crack due to ΔK_<III>, and crack growth rate decreases by the factory roof. Fatigue crack growth is simulated using S-version FEM (Finite Element Method) using crack growth criteria. It is shown that conventional crack growth criteria are not available to predict fatigue crack growth with factory roof. In this study, modified criterion for the prediction of crack growth rate is proposed. By using this criterion, fatigue crack growth simulation is conducted, and results are compared with those of experiments and discussed.