Author(s)

G.S. Wang and A.F. Blom

Abstract

An analytical method has been developed to predict the onset of multiple site damage at mechanical joints. The crack initiation is predicted based on non-linear stress analyses and the crack closure model. In this solution, the small crack behaviour as well as the post yield effect have been accounted for. Intrinsic material parameters have been used extensively so that the method is not limited to the specified problems. A probabilistic solution has been implemented to account for uncertainties in initial flaws, the stochastic crack propagation, the geometrical inconsistency, as well as the variation in fatigue loading. As a result, important information about the onset of multiple site damage, e.g. the probability of crack occurrence, and the probability of crack break-through

Keywords