Fatigue Damage, Crack Growth and Life Prediction

This book provides a unified approach to the fatigue damage evaluation of smooth, notched and cracked components. The mechanics of cyclic deformation behaviour, crack initiation and crack propagation are discussed from both microscopic and macroscopic viewpoints, and a comprehensive treatment of multiaxial fatigue loading is included. All aspects of the mechanics of crack growth - short cracks, long cracks and cracks initiated from notches - are discussed in a unified manner. Explicit relationships are given by which fatigue life can be predicted based on limited material data, as well as a master curve (a unique curve) which combines uniaxial and multiaxial loadings. This is of significant importance in practical applications. Fatigue Damage, Crack Growth and Life Prediction is designed to serve as an in-depth introduction and a useful reference for materials scientists and mechanical, design, aeronautical, and civil engineers who are either studying or require information about fatigue behaviour and crack growth in engineering components.