In this paper, we consider cracks with Dirichlet boundary conditions. We first derive an asymptotic expansion of the boundary perturbations that are due to the presence of a small crack. Based on this formula, we design a noniterative approach for locating a collection of small cracks. In order to do so, we construct a response matrix from the boundary measurements. The location and the length ...

This paper proposes a reliable and cost-effective two-phase methodology to predict crack propagation life in generic two-dimensional (2D) structural components. First, the usually curved fatigue crack path and its stress-intensity factors are calculated at small crack increments in a specialized finite-element software, using automatic remeshing algorithms, special crack tip elements and approp...

A HALF-PLANE CRACK propagates dynamically, nominally in the x direction. along the plane _V = 0 in an unbounded solid subjected to remote loading equivalent to a static stress intensity factor K*. The crack front at time t lies along the arc x = c,,t+a_/‘(z, t) where a,) is a constant velocity, J’(z, t) is an arbitrary function, and E is a small parameter. The crack front speed thus varies alon...

Studies on the growth of small cracks have led to the observation that fatigue life of many engineering materials is primarily “crack growth” from micro-structural features, such as inclusion particles, voids, slip-bands or from manufacturing defects. This paper reviews the capabilities of a plasticity-induced crack-closure model to predict fatigue lives of metallic materials using “small-crack...

Studies on the growth of small cracks have led to the observation that fatigue life of many engineering materials is primarily “crack growth” from micro-structural features, such as inclusion particles, voids, slip-bands or from manufacturing defects. This paper reviews the capabilities of a plasticity-induced crack-closure model to predict fatigue lives of metallic materials using “small-crack...

Crack tip shielding phenomena, whereby the "effective crack-driving force" actually experienced at the crack tip is locally reduced, are examined with reference to fatigue crack propagation behavior in metals, composites and ceramics. Sources of shielding are briefly described in terms of mechanisms relying on the production of elastically constrained zones which envelop the crack (zone shieldi...

There have been few studies to date describing fatigue-crack propagation thresholds under mixed-mode loading conditions in the presence of cracks, that are small as compared to the characteristic microstructural dimensions. To address this need, the variation in mixed-mode, high-cycle fatigue-crack growth thresholds with crack size is reported for a Ti-6Al-4V turbine blade alloy with a fine-gra...

The detection, location, and sizing of a fatigue crack emanating from a fastener hole in an aluminum plate is investigated. Two linear arrays of surface mounted piezoelectric disk transducers send and receive ultrasonic guided waves that are transmitted, reflected, and scattered by both the joint geometry and the fatigue crack. A tomography algorithm is used to detect and locate the crack. Ampl...