A review of the numerical estimation of crack closure and fatigue crack growth

Presents a review of the numerical methods for estimation of fatigue crack growth based on plasticity-induced fatigue crack closure under cyclic loading. Load interaction effects and temperature exposure on closure levels are highlighted. With the advent of large and fast computing power, it is possible to adopt numerical methods such as elastic-plastic finite element analysis to study these effects under the general class of problems dealing with variable amplitude loading. The results of numerical analysis were validated by comparison with fractographic data obtained from a series of specially designed experiments. The load interaction effects on crack closure levels are numerically simulated and compared with the earlier experimental results reported in literature. The effects of temperature exposure are explained using a model involving creep effect