A cumulative model of fatigue crack growth

A model of fatigue crack growth based on an analysis of elastic/plastic stress and strain at the crack tip is presented. It is shown that the fatigue crack growth rate can be calculated by means of the local stress/strain at the crack tip. The local stress and strain calculations are based on the general solutions given by Hutchinson, Rice and Rosengren. It is assumed that a small highly strained area existing at the crack tip is responsible for...