Finite element modelling of fatigue crack growth of surface cracked plates

Investigations into the shape change of surface fatigue cracks are made by using the multiple degree of freedom model described in Part I. Three combinations of tension and bending loads are considered, i.e. DOB = 0 (pure tension), 0.5 and 1 (pure bending). Analyses of the shape of propagating crack fronts show that the semi-elliptical profile is approximately maintained during crack growth for all loading cases. Generally, the trend of aspect...