Date of Award
12-2008
Degree Name
Master of Science in Engineering
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Department
Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Daniel Kujawski
Second Advisor
Dr. Muralidhar Ghantasala
Third Advisor
Dr. Dennis VanderBrink
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
A custom method to generate fatigue crack growth (FCG) data requires testing of multiple specimens at different load ratios. In addition, it includes the application of a load shedding procedure from pre-cracking level to threshold.
In this thesis, a novel method of testing has been investigated that utilizes a single specimen and a testing matrix in terms of Kmaxand ∆K values corresponding to predetermined R-ratios for which FCG data, da/dN, are recorded. Automatic K-controlled tests on 2324-T39 Al alloy were conducted using the ∆K increasing and ∆K decreasing procedures while Kmaxwas kept constant. Results show that the increasing ∆K procedure is more conservative than the ∆K decreasing procedure. Fatigue crack growth curves in terms of da/dN versus ∆K obtained from ∆K increasing are below the curves obtained from the ∆K decreasing procedure.
These differences are explained by means of load interaction between cyclic plastic zones and their effect on fatigue damage. The ∆K increasing procedure demonstrated minimal interaction effects and hence it is recommended for efficient FCG generation. The proposed procedure reduces testing time, the overall scatter associated with multiple samples and eliminates possible uncertainty linked to the load shedding procedure and its effect on threshold.
Recommended Citation
Reddy, Sree Phani Chandar, "Generation and Analysis of FCG Data using a Single Specimen and Kmax - ∆K Testing Matrix" (2008). Masters Theses. 4733.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4733