Prediction of fatigue crack growth rates under variable loading using a simple crack closure model

A model for the prediction of growth rates of fatigue cracks in aluminium alloys subjected to service loading conditions is presented. The model is based on an approximate description of the crack opening behaviour and was applied successfully in an analysis of effects of crack growth acceleration and retardation observed experimentally under...

Re-assessment of service life by comparative specimen tests

The paper starts with a general discussion on various aspects of life re-assessment. Specific attention is paid to the possibility of re-assesgrnent by means of comparative fatigue tests on specimens. As an illustration of this method, the paper gives a description of the life-re-assessment procedures applied by the Royal Netherlands Airforce...