Elastoplastic finite element analysis of three-dimensional fatigue crack growth in aluminum shafts subjected to axial loading

We have developed a three!dimensional cohesive element and a class of irreversible cohesive laws which enable the accurate and e.cient tracking of three!dimensional fatigue crack fronts and the calculation of the attendant fatigue life curves[ The cohesive element governs the separation of the crack ~anks in accordance with an irreversible cohesive law\ eventually leading to the formation of free surfaces\ and is compatible with a conventional _nite element discretization of the bulk material[ The versatility and predictive ability of the method is demonstrated through the simulation of the axial fatigue tests of aluminum shafts of Thompson and Sheppard "0881a\ b\ c#[ The ability of the method to reproduce the experimentally observed progression of beachmarks and fatigue life curves is particularly noteworthy