Fatigue design challenges: Recent linear and nonlinear models

Abstract

Reliable fatigue design rules affect the proactive identification of safety parameters in engineering structures. Numerous fatigue crack initiation and propagation models, linear and nonlinear, have been developed for designing purposes or estimation of the remaining life of aging structures. Depending on the adopted assumptions, the accuracy varies for different loading histories, loading types, and materials. Semi empirical models are simple but yield significant inaccuracies. Models with better theoretical basis provide better accuracy, but implementation in real conditions is problematic. In the present work, a review of author’s recent fatigue crack initiation and propagation models based on physical mechanisms is presented and improvements are proposed. Verification of the models on test results is provided and discussed.