Alfonso Fernández-Canteli

By José António Fonseca De Oliveira Correia, Abílio M.P. De Jesus, Pedro M.G.P. Moreira, Rui A.B. Calçada and Alfonso Fernández‐ Canteli

This chapter proposes an evaluation and extension of the UniGrow model to predict the fatigue crack propagation rate, based on a local strain-based approach to fatigue. The UniGrow model, classified as a residual stress‐based crack propagation model, is here applied to derive probabilistic fatigue crack propagation fields (p-da/dN-ΔK-R fields) for P355NL1 pressure vessel steel, covering distinct stress R-ratios. The results are compared with available experimental data. The required strain-life data are experimentally achieved and evaluated. The material representative element size, ρ*, a key parameter in the UniGrow model, is assessed by means of a trial-and-error procedure of inverse analysis. Moreover, residual stresses are computed for varying crack lengths and minimum-to-maximum stress ratios. Elastoplastic stress fields around the crack apex are evaluated with analytical relations and compared with elastoplastic finite-element (FE) computations. The deterministic strain-life relations proposed in the original UniGrow model are replaced by the probabilistic strain‐life fields (p-ε-N) proposed by Castillo and Canteli. This probabilistic model is also extended by considering a damage parameter to allow for mean stress effects. In particular, a probabilistic Smith-Watson-Topper field (p-SWT-N), alternatively to the conventional p-ε-N field, is proposed and applied to derive the probabilistic fatigue crack propagation fields.

Part of the book: Fracture Mechanics