Total fatigue life prediction under constant amplitude loading

This paper applies the fracture-mechanics-based analysis and the crack-closure concept to naturally occurring small cracks and large crack growth, and to make total fatigue life predictions solely based on crack growth from the assumed initial materials defect. The equation of total fatigue crack propagation life under constant amplitude loading is presented. And the total fatigue propagation lives of LY12-BCZYU aluminium alloy SENT specimens by this equation and validated by experimental results. Validation against calculations by the model and experimental data shows a good agreement.