Determination of crack growth for 6082-T6 aluminium subjected to periodic single and block overloads and underloads using a two dimensional finite element model

The estimation of crack growth under variable amplitude loading is complex due to interaction effects such as plasticity, crack tip blunting, residual stresses, crack tip closure and crack tip branching. Crack closure has been identified to be one of the main interaction effects. In order to study the effect of crack closure the authors have previously carried out experimental testing to obtain more accurate measurements of crack opening and...