Finite element modelling of fatigue crack growth of surface cracked plates

Stress intensity factors (SIFs) and fatigue crack growth lives, obtained by a numerical simulation technique which is based on a multiple degree of freedom model, are presented. The results include those for both semi-elliptical static cracks and propagating cracks that are not necessarily semi-elliptical. Comparisons are made between the present results and the predictions from a two degree of freedom model based on the Newman and Raju...