Author(s)

T. Rinks & A. El-Zafran

Abstract

This paper introduces the application of the boundary element method (BEM) to the analysis and quantification of low cycle fatigue damage analysis of engineering components. Boundary integral equations for cyclic plasticity are formulated using initial stress and strain approaches together with appropriate kinematic hardening rules. A number of accuracy measures have been introduced into the numerical treatment of the boundary integral equations to improve the accuracy and reliability of the BEM results. Equivalent strains are employed in conjunction with the Mason - Coffin equations for the prediction of low cycle fatigue life. A number of case studies have been analysed, using the devel

Keywords