EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL ESTIMATES OF FATIGUE CRACK CLOSURE IN AN ALUMINIUM‐COPPER ALLOY PART II: A FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Abstract

Abstract— A numerical investigation of the fatigue crack closure phenomenon has been performed by an elastic‐plastic finite element analysis. Computer software was developed to consider many aspects affecting plasticity‐induced crack closure. Linear and power‐law hardening models are considered in the finite element analysis. The paper presents results from the study carried out on compact tension (CT) coupons at various crack lengths corresponding to different loading conditions. Finally the results of the analysis are compared with the experimental estimates of fatigue crack closure levels obtained from laser interferometry, scanning‐electron and transmission‐electron fractography presented in Part I of this paper on identical specimens.