Computer-Controlled Stress Intensity Gradient Technique for High Rate Fatigue Crack Growth Testing

Abstract

Abstract An automated test system utilizing a computer for data acquisition and machine control was used to obtain crack growth rate data from 2.5 × 10−8 to 2.5 × 10−6 m/cycle (1 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−4 in./cycle) on a compact type specimen. The crack length was monitored continuously by using the elastic compliance technique, enabling the stress intensity K to be increased according to the equation ΔK = ΔK exp [C(a − a0)] (where a0 and a are the initial and instantaneous crack lengths and C is a test variable). Crack growth data were obtained on a Ni-Cr-Mo-V rotor steel by using both different, programmed K gradients and the more conventional constant-load-amplitude method where the stress intensity increases as a function of increasing crack length. Excellent agreement was observed between the two test procedures.