Fatigue crack growth in metallic components: numerical modeling and
analytical solution
Abstract
The paper presents innovative approaches for the simulation of fatigue
crack growth (FCG) in metallic compact tension (CT) specimens using
finite element (FE) analysis and analytical solution. FE analysis is
performed in ABAQUS using the extended finite element method (XFEM)
coupled with the direct cyclic low-cycle fatigue (LCF) approach. Novel
methods are developed for the computation of the numerical crack growth
by processing the analysis outputs. The numerical modeling is validated
by considering past experimental data. The analytical solution for the
fatigue life evaluation is formally reviewed, and novel fatigue damage
descriptors are defined. The influence of the main sample/testing
features on numerical and analytical fatigue life is extensively
assessed by a parametric study. The discrepancy between the numerical
and analytical estimations of the fatigue life of the components is
investigated and correlated to the features of the testing/modeling. A
statistical-based correction factor is finally proposed in order to
enhance the analytical solution.