Finite Element Analysis of Stage II Crack Growth and Branching in Fretting Fatigue

Abstract

The stage II fretting fatigue crack growth and branching, i.e., the process of fretting fatigue crack growth starting in an inclined direction and then changing to the normal direction, is analyzed using the finite element method. The fretting fatigue experiment data of A7075-T6 are used in the analysis. The applicability of maximum tangential stress intensity factor, maximum tangential stress intensity factor range, and maximum crack growth rate as the crack growth direction criteria is examined. It is revealed that the stage II crack growth before and after the branching cannot be simulated with a single criterion, but can be done when different criteria are applied to the two stages of crack growth. Moreover, a method to determine the crack length at which the branching occurs is proposed.