Theoretical prediction of the overload cycle effect on fatigue crack growth in plates of finite thickness

Abstract

This paper describes a theoretical approach for modelling fatigue crack growth after the application of an overload cycle in plates of finite thickness. Plate thickness effects are directly taken into account through the use of first-order plate theory, which eliminates the need for any empirical correction factors or extensive numerical simulations. Results are presented for the post-overload fatigue crack growth and are found to be in very good agreement with previous experimental data These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the new approach as well as the significance of accounting for plate thickness effects in fatigue crack growth phenomena.