0013-7944188 $3.00+ .

OO
@ 1988 Pqamon Press plc.

RESIST~CE-CURVE METHOD FOR PREDICTING

PROPAGATION THRESHOLD OF SHORT FATIGUE
CRACKS AT NOTCHES

K. TANAKA and Y. AKINIWA

Department of Engineering Science, Kyoto Unive~i~, Kyoto 606, Japan

Abstract-A new resistance-curve method was proposed for predicting the growth threshold of
short fatigue cracks near the notch root. The resistance curve was constructed in terms of the
experimentally determined threshold value of the maximum stress intensity factor which was the
sum of the threshold effective stress intensity range AK,,,, and the opening stress intensity
factor Kopth. The AK,,, value was constant, irrespective of crack length or notch geometry.
The relation between K opth and crack length was independent of notch geometry. The predicted
effects of the notch-root radius and the notch depth on the propagation threshold of short fatigue
cracks were compared with the experimental data obtained using center-notched specimens with
various notch-root radii and single-edge notched specimens with various notch depths.
Excellent agreement was obtained between predictions and experiments.

INTRODUCTlON
THE REDUCTION of the fatigue strength of structural components due to notches has been a
major problem for fatigue engineers. The growth rate of a short fatigue crack nucleated at the
root of a sharp notch first decreases as the crack propagates. The crack then becomes
non-propagating under low stresses, while it begins to accelerate after reaching a minimum
growth rate under high stresses. Since the stress intensity factor (SIF) is an increasing function of
the crack length, AK-based conventional fracture mechanics fails to predict a dip in the growth
rate of a crack at notches. Recent experimental data have shown that the effective stress
intensity range A& decreases with crack growth because of the increase of crack closure, and
that the growth rate of short cracks is a unique function of A&, irrespective of crack length or
stress amplitude[1-4]. A method to estimate the development of crack closure needs to be
established.
In our previous papers[5,6], we proposed a simple method to predict the thresholds of
crack initiation and propagation from notches based on the limited experimental data.
According to the comparison of model predictions with experimental data, the predicted fatigue
limit for fracture was lower than the experimental data, although a good agreement was obtained
for crack initiation threshold. The measured value of crack closure showed a small deviation
from the model prediction.
In the present paper, a resistance-curve method is proposed on the basis of the experimental
result on the relation between the crack closure and the crack length for notch-root short cracks.
The predicted effects of the notch-root radius and the notch depth on the propagation threshold
of short fatigue cracks were compared with the experimental results obtained using notched
specimens of a low-carbon steel.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
The material is a structural low-carbon steel (JIS SM41B) with the following chemical
compositions in wt % : 0.17 C, 0.19 Si, 0.79 Mn, 0.016 P, and 0.020 S. The specimens were fully
annealed after machined. The ferrite grain size was 64 pm. The yield strength was 194 MPa and
the breaking strength was 423 MPa. The fatigue properties of this material was determined in
our previous studies[3,4]. Under a stress ratio of R = - 1, the fatigue limit of smooth specimens
cr~a was 163 MPa, the threshold stress intensity range for long cracks AI& was 12.36 MPa&
and its effective component AKeffthmwas 2.78 MPafi.
The shape and dimensions of test specimens are shown in Fig. 1. The radius of the notch
root is varied in center-notched plate (CNP) specimens, while the notch depth is varied in
863
864 K. TANAKA and Y. AKINIWA

Cellophane

(b)

Fig. 1. Test specimens (dimensions are in mm).

single-edge-notched (SEN) specimens. CNP specimens were fatigued under axial tension-
compression; SEN specimens under in-plane bending. The elastic stress concentration factor K,
for CNP specimens given in Fig. 1 was calculated from Ishida’s formula[7], and that for SEN
specimens was determined by the finite element method. All the specimens were fatigued under
constant load amplitude with zero mean stress.
The length of non-propagating cracks was measured with a scanning electron microscope
by observing the fracture surface of the fatigued specimen broken at a liquid nitrogen
temperature. The measured length of a through-thickness crack was the average of nine
measurements over the specimen thickness. For a part-through crack, an equivalent length of a
trough-thickness crack was obtained by using the SIF-equality equation.
The SIF value for a crack of length c at the notch root is expressed as

K = 06 * F(c) (1)
where (r is the nominal stress and F(c) is the geometrical correction factor. The F value for a
notch-root crack in CNP specimens was calculated by using Lukas’ equation[S] combined with
the equation for a center-cracked plate[9]. The finite element method was used to obtain SIF
for a short crack in SEN specimens[4], and Brown’s equation[lO] was used for a long crack. For a
part-through crack at the notch root, a modified Murakami’s method[l l] was used for SIF
calculation[3 3. The calculation procedure is described in Appendix.
The crack opening point was determined as an inflection point in the stress-strain curve
after sub~acting the linear elastic part[3,4]. The strain signal was the output of the strain gage
glued on the notch as shown in Fig. 1.

RESISTANCE CURVE METHOD

Crack closure and threshold condition

Figure 2 indicates the change of the opening stress intensity factor KOp-with the crack length
(measured on the specimen surface) for two cases of CNP specimens. The final data correspond-
 ~opagation t~eshoId of short fatigue cracks 865

Fig. 3. Scanning electron micrographs of fatigue fracture surface in CNP specimen with p = 0.83 mm
under a, = 55 MPa. (a) Notch-root region. (b) Enlarged Stage I fracture surface.
 Propagation threshold of short fatigue cracks 867

4 SM41B(L), CNP , t=3mm, R=-1

I I I
1

A
A
8 AA

“AA Pfmo adMPo>

0 0.16 55
A 0.39 60 ’

I I
1.0 1.5 2.0

Crack length, c mm

Fig. 2. Change of crack opening stress intensity factor with crack length for CNP specimen.

ing to ttte bngest erzzk kngth were obtained from non-propagating cracks. The value of I&,
increases with increasing crack length. A sharp rise in rC, is seen near the t~eshold.
The front profile of non-propagating cracks within the specimen thickness was measured
with a scanning electron microscopy, after breaking the fatigued specimens at a liquid nitrogen
temperature. Figure 3(a) shows an example of the fracture surface for the case of the CNP
specimen with p = 0.83 mm subjected to cr, = 55 MPa. The crack front is fairly straight within
the specimen thickness. Figure 3(b) presents the enlarged micragraph of the square part
irndicated in Fig. 3(a). The shear mode fracture surfaces consisting of straight and parallel lines
can be seen in the vicinity of the notch. These fracture surfaces will correspond to the pencil
glide planes where a Stage I crack propagates[K!]. The extent of the shear fracture region from
the notch root was roughly independent of the notch geometry or the stress amplitude. The
average size was 57 pm.
In Fig. 4, all the data of the K& value obtained from non-propaga~ng cracks are plotted
against crack length for the eases of CNP and SEN specimens with various notch depths and root
radii. For longer cracks, K+r, is equal to rC,,,, for long cracks obtained using the ~onventiona1
fracture mechanics specimens. For very short cracks, Koprh is nearly zero. The relation between
K,,,, and cDpcan be approximated by

1
112
K optb -
-
Kopthm c,p (2)
[ c2- Cl

4 fM41fXLl , R=-1
I L I I

Non-prapogating crock length , cT mm

Fig. 4. Change of crack opening stress intensity factor with crack length at threshold.

EIW 30:6-E
868 K. TANAKA and Y. AKINIWA

where cl is taken as the length of Stage I crack (57 pm), and c2 is the crack length (1.322 mm)
above which K+, = Kopthm. The c2 value was determined through a least-square regression
method. For the cases of propagating cracks, K,,, is lower than that given by eq. (2).
The threshold values of the stress intensity range A&, and the effective stress intensity
range AZLi, are plotted against the non-propagating crack length in Fig. 5(a), where

AKefith = Kmaxth - J&t,, (3)

and Kmaxth is the maximum stress intensity factor at the threshold. Barred marks in the figure
indicates part-through Stage II cracks and for these cases the abscissa is the equivalent crack
length. It should be noted that an intrinsic resistance of the material, i.e. AKeRth is nearly
constant for all the cracks measured. A decrease in AKti, for short cracks is caused solely by an
extrinsic factor, i.e. the crack closure. The solid line corresponds to AK,, given by

AK*h = 2Kmaxth = ~[AKw, -+ K+l (4)

where AKeffth = AKeathm and Kopth is determined by eq. (2). The data of AKth for part-through
cracks as well as through cracks follow the solid line. Figure .5(b) shows the opening fraction &,
at the threshold which is defined by

u,h = A&ithlA&,. (3

The & value is 0.5 for short cracks, and gradually decreases approaching a constant value of
&,m = 0.225,

On the basis of the experimental data on the AKti, vs cnP relation, a resistance curve can be
constructed and will be used to judge the propagation of short cracks at notches. The maximum
stress intensity factor K max(hat the threshold for growth of Stage II cracks is obtained as

K maxth = AKeffthm + J(opth (6)

where Al(eEth_ is Constant and Kopth varies in accordance with eq. (2), irrespective of notch
geometry. In Fig. 6, a resistance curve is shown with the solid line. The applied value of the
maximum stress intensity factor Km,, is calculated by eq. (1) and drawn with the dashed lines for
several stress amplitudes.

SM41BU. R=-1
SM4lBCL). R=-1 1 1 I
I I 1 I ,

-7

Barred morksc,, Stogen

0.05 0.1 0.5 1 5 10 0.05 0.1 0.5 1 5 10

Non-propagating crack length , cm mm Non-propagating crack length , cnPmm
(a) (b)

Fig. 5. Changes of threshold stress intensity ranges and effective fraction with crack length. (a) A&,,
AKcm vs c. (b) U,, vs c.
 Propagation threshold of short fatigue cracks 869

Nofch stress

___-““-

__a-

-_

__--

!KoKIX,h P

I
I
i

Fig. 6. Resistance-curve method for crack growth threshold.

A crack can propagate when the applied value of Km, is larger than I&,=*. At an applied
stress of cwl, a Stage II crack of length cr is formed at the notch root. In other words, the crack is
nucleated when the applied stress intensity factor for the notch-root crack of length cl exceeds
A r;;,,,-. This nucleation condition is the same as the one used in our previous studies[5,6],
except for the method of determining nucleated crack length. When the applied stress is larger
than a,z, a nucleated crack continues to propagate because the applied J&,, curve does not
cross the resistance curve.
In the present R-curve method, the material properties required are AKeRthmand &pth (or
Kmaxth) as a function of crack length. The effects of notch geometry and loading condition are
taken into account by the F term in eq. (1). Our previous method[5,6] was also based on the
same idea in order to judge the non-propagation of short cracks, but utilized a different
formation. When the K opthvs cnr,relation is not available, our previous method will be useful as
a rough estimate. Pookfl3] suggested the concept of the resistance curve appliable to fatigue
crack growth in a crude form. McEvily[l4] also proposed a similar method, but did not present
enough supporting expe~mental data.

PROPAGATION THRESHOLH OF SHORT FATIGUE CRACKS AT NOTCHES

Ejfect of notch-root radius

The R-curve method is applied to the CNP specimen with various notch-root radii. Figure
7(a) shows the log-log plot of the resistance curve for the case of a notch-root radius of
p = 0.16 mm. The dashed lines indicate the driving force expressed in terms of Km, for various
stress amplitudes. The R-curve method in terms of the effective stress intensity range is shown in
Fig. 7(b). The value of AK eftth is the intrinsic resistance of the material. AI& is the local or
effective driving force which is calculated by

where Kmax is the applied value and I&t, is determined from eq. (2). It is clearly seen that the
deceleration and stoppage of short fatigue cracks is caused by the increase of crack closure or
the decrease of the effective driving force.
Figure 8 presents similar diagrams for the case of p = 3 mm. A long Stage II crack can not
be formed for this case.
The non-propagating crack length at the interaction between the driving force curve of
K,,, {or A&) and the resistance curve of firmaxth(or AK=& is shown as a function of the
applied stress amplitude o, in Fig. 9. For the case of p = 0.16 mm, the diagram is divided into
three regions: Regions I, II, and III. When rr, is above vw2 in Region II, a nucleated crack
continues to propagate. When a‘, is between Gwl and aw2, a nucleated crack will be arrested at
the crack length on the boundary between Regions I and III. On the other hand, Region III will
870 K. TANAKA and Y. AKINIWA

,. SM41E(L).CNP,P=O.l6mm. t=3mm
I ,
AK.rm
8- IT AK.,,under constant i
(u stress amplitude ,‘7

A K.trt~,- =2.78MPoJ%
I I I
b.05 0.1 0.5 1 5 10

Crack length , c mm Crack length . c mm

(cl) (b)

Fig. 7. Changes of stress intensity ranges with crack length for CNP specimen with notch-root
radius = 0.16 mm and depth = 3 mm. (a) Stress intensity range vs crack length. (b) Effective stress
intensity range vs crack length.

SM416(L),CNP.P=3mm.t=3mm
IC 20,. I I n

stress amplitude

5”
c
“f
mx
La A Keffth_ =2.78MPafi
1 I I I I
0.05 0.1 0.5 1 5 10

Crack length . c mm Crack length . c mm

(a)
(b)

Fig. 8. Changes of stress intensity ranges with crack length for CNP specimen with notch-root
radius = 3 mm and depth = 3 mm. (a) Stress intensity range vs crack length. (b) Effective stress intensity
range vs crack length.

disappear in the case of p = 3 mm as shown in Fig. 9(b). The fatigue limit for crack initiation c,,,~
is higher than that for fracture uW2.Even for this case, a tiny little (microscopic) Stage II crack
can be formed.
The data on the non-propagating crack length are compared with the model prediction in
Fig. 10, where the solid marks indicate the equivalent length of Stage I cracks and the open
marks the length of Stage II cracks. The points with right-pointing arrows on the ordinate on the
right-hand side mean the crack causing fracture. All the data for Stage II cracks fall very well on
the predicted lines. The fatigue limits for fracture aW2and for Stage II crack initiation mwl are
nicely predicted by the model. The u,,,~ value and the corresponding non-propagating crack
length are independent of the notch-root radius. For the case of p = 3 mm, only Stage I crack
was formed. Below o,,.~, Stage I cracks can be formed at the notch root and then arrested. The
stress required for the formation of Stage I cracks seems to be lower, and a different criterion will
be necessary.
 Propagation threshold of short fatigue cracks 871

SM4~B(L),~NP,2W=45mm,Te~.-com. S~4~B(L),CNP~2W=45mm,~en.-com.
100 - / I t t 100 . I 8 I
0 z1 ’ u
s 80-= Pfopagat~on 9 30- Propagai~on

0”

s
c_ c_
z
6 Ti 40 _
E I
u)
E :: Non-propagation
al
- I
5 (0
D Non-propagation
2 u
2 P
t 20 1 I I I ig 20 t t ! /
b- 0.05 0.1 0.5 1 5 10 E 0.05 0.1 0.5 1 5 10
Non-propagating crack length . cw mm Non-propagating crack length , cnpmm
(a) Ib)

Fig. 9. Fatigue failure diagram for CNP specimen. (a) p = 0.16 mm and t = 3 mm. (b) p =:3 mm and
r=3mm.

The values of uWl and a,...~are shown as a function of the elastic stress concentration factor
Kt in Fig. 11, together with the fatigue limit of smooth specimens divided by K,. The (T,,,~value is
higher than awl for the cases of K$ larger than 3.35 or p = 1.54 mm. This value for the critical
root radius is larger than the value reported by Nisitani[lS], because of a larger grain size of the
present material. The data of aWl and u,,,~for these cases follow the predicted lines. For the case
of KS = 2.65, a tiny non-propagating crack is formed. Even for smooth specimens, it has been
reported that a tiny non-propagating crack can be seen at the fatigue limit, and that the fatigue
limit is determined by the propagating condition of this tiny fatigue crackfl51. This fact is
consistent with the present model and the experimental data for the case of p = 3 mm.
The extrapolation of the theoretical relation between a,1 and Kt up to Kt = 1 yields
aWl = 185 MPa, which is larger than the fatigue limit of smooth specimen crti = 163 MPa. It is
interesting to note that the extrapolation of o,,,~ to the case of Kt = 1 is larger than v,,Q. By
substituting owe in the K equation for an edge crack, i.e.

cb = (AK=~,~~/~.IZZU~)~I~ (8)

the crack length obtained is 0,074 mm. This crack length is larger than the Stage I crack length
formed at the notch root (ct = 0.057 mm). Thus, the length of Stage I crack may change for
much blunter notches.

Non-propagating crack length , Cm mm

Fig. 10. Limiting curves for non-propagation of fatigue crack in CNP specimen.
872 K. TANAKA and Y. AKINIWA
SM4lB(L),CNP.t=3mm, R=-t
’ f ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’
o Fracture
160 0 Through cmk
n” s Port-through crock
I (StogeE -
a Port-through crack
(Stagei)
A No crack

Stress concentration factor. Kt

Fig. 11. Relation between fatigue limits and stress concentration factor.

Efiect of notch depth

The R-curve method is applied to the SEN specimens with three different notch depths.
The resistance curve (the Kmaxth vs c relation) is independent of notch geometry, while the
loading curve (the K,,, vs c relation) is changed to account for geometrical difference. Figure
12 shows the resistance curve in terms of the maximum stress intensity factor and the effective
stress intensity range for the case of the notch depth t = 0.3 mm. The crack length at the
minimum point of A&, is shorter than the crack length cz = 1.322 mm.
Figure 13(a) presents the theoretical prediction of the non-propagating crack length,
together with the experimental data. The length of the non-propagating cracks at the fatigue
limit for fracture becomes shorter as the notch gets shallower. The data on the length of
non-propagating Stage II cracks lie close to the predicted lines for all cases examined. The
fatigue limit for Stage II crack initiation, owl, is well predicted by the model. Under the stress
below CQ, a Stage I crack on the slip plane can be formed.
The same results are shown in Fig. 13(b) where the abscissa is changed to the sum of the
crack length and the notch depth. The horizontal dashed line shows the constant stress condition
(aa = a,&; the slant dashed line the constant stress-intensity-range condition (A&,, = AK;,,).
The stress required for propagating a crack in the notched specimen is lower than that given by
two dashed lines.

SM41BIL),SEN,P=O.l6mm.t=0.3mm
20 SM41BiL),SEN,p=0.16mm,t=0.3mm A, i
‘O - AK<.vto ’ ’ J, : i :
8 --- AK,,, under constant ‘//Ii’
stress amplitude,‘,‘/,‘.‘i’,
,l//‘/i/
/ //
U. MPa ,‘,, / ,’ ,‘,I
150 /‘,, ,‘,/ ,‘,I
_____---- ,I I
13r.J
_____--- *-- ,,’ ,’ I’ ,
110 __--’ ,/’ ,x’ ,

I AK etttnlp =2.78MPaJ;ii
1 t I I 1
0.05 0.1 0.5 1 5 10

Crock length , c mm Crack length , c mm

(0 ) lb1

Fig. 12. Changes of stress intensity ranges with crack length for SEN specimen with notch-root
radius = 0.16 mm and depth = 0.3 mm. (a) Stress intensity range vs crack length. (b) Effective stress
intensity range vs crack iength.
 Propagation threshold of short fatigue cracks 873

SM41B(L).SEN.W=14mm, In-plane bendmg

0.05 0.1 0.5 1 5 10

Non-propagating crack Length, cnpmm

(0 1 v. versusc,,

SM41B(L).SEN.W=14mm. In-plan: bending

200
0
B

0’
_ 100

2 80
c
=g 60

z
I?! 40
u)
z
P
W
20
0.05 0.1 0.5 1 5 10

Non-propagatrng crock Length , t+c,, mm

(b) gO versus (c,,tt)

Fig. 13. Limiting curves for non-propagation of fatigue crack in SEN specimen. (a) CT,vs c,,~ (b) Us vs
(c., + 1).

In the present experiment of the SEN specimens, the minimum value of the notch depth is
0.1 mm. When the notch depth becomes much smaller, the theoretical prediction based on the
present method gives a threshold stress larger than the fatigue limit of smooth specimen
(u,,,.~= 163 MPa). Since the K equation for a notch-root crack in the SEN specimen under
in-plane bending is not available, the effect of very small notch size on the fatigue limit is
examined for the CNP specimen under axial tension compression.
The changes of awl and uwz with notch size in the CNP specimen were examined for two
cases: (i) the notch length is varied keeping the notch root radius at a constant value of 0.16 mm,
and (ii) the radius of a circular hole is varied. Figure 14(a) presents the result of the former case.
aw2 is always larger than awl . The values of a,l and o,.,2 for the case of a vanishing notch are 208
and 215 MPa, respectively. When the half notch length is below 0.047 mm, a,2 is larger than uwo
(= 163 MPa). The notch smaller than this size does not influence the fatigue limit of the
specimen, i.e. the notch is non-damaging. Similar trend is seen for the case of a circular notch as
shown in Fig. 14(b). Moreover, it is interesting to note that the relative magnitude of owl to ow2
changes at the radius of 1.33 mm. The fatigue limit of notched specimens is controlled by the
propagation of a nucleated crack for smaller holes, while by the nucleation of a crack for larger
holes.
The existence of non-damaging notches was reported for steels by Murakami et al. [ 171. The
874 K. TANAKA and Y. AKINIWA

1
SMilB(L)
2 200
Sh&EB(L~
CNP , P=O.lGmm , R=-1 CNP, t=P , R=-1
H
t
.%a

\ 1 5
P=O.16
45

3
Radius of hole , P mm
Half notch length, t mm

(4 @I
Pig. 14. Effect of notch size on fatigue limits. (a) Relation between fatigue limits and notch length. (b)
Relation between fatigue limits and hole size.

reason why aWo can be lower than gWl or a;2 for very small notches will be that the length of
Stage I crack in smooth specimens is larger than that in notched specimens. A further
fractographic study is necessary to confirm this interpretation.
The concept of the R-curve method can be applied to the crack growth threshold under
different stress ratios, if the effect of stress ratio on the development of crack closure is taken
into account. Furthermore, it will be used to derive the relation between the threshold stress
amplitude and the crack length in precracked members without notches.

CONCLUSIONS
(1) A resistance-curve method was proposed to predict the growth threshold of short
fatigue cracks at the notch root. The resistance curve was constructed in terms of the
experimentally determined threshold value of the maximum stress intensity factor which was the
sum of the threshold effective stress intensity range AKeffth and the opening stress intensity
factor Kopth. The AK,,rti, value was constant, irrespective of crack length. The relation between
K opth and crack length was independent of notch geometry.
(2) The effect of the notch root radius on the fatigue threshold was examined by using the
center-notched plate specimens made of a low-carbon steel under completely reversed axial
loading. Excellent agreement was obtained between model predictions and experimental results
with respect to the fatigue limit for Stage II crack initiation, the fatigue limit for fracture, and the
non-propagating crack length.
(3) The effect of the notch depth on the fatigue threshold was examined by using the
single-edge notched specimen of the same low-carbon steel. Again, the fatigue limits of notched
specimens and the length of non-propagating cracks were all predicted very well by the model.
The model suggested the existence of the critical size of non-damaging notches.

Acknowledgemenr-Support of this research by The Kurata Research Grant is gratefully acknowledged.

REFERENCES
[l] K. Tanaka and Y. Nakai, Propagation and non-propagation of short fatigue cracks at a sharp notch. Farigue Engng
Ma&r. Srmcr. 6, 315-327 (1983).
[2] I. Nishikawa, M. Konishi, Y. Miyoshi and K. Ogura, Small fatigue crack growth at notch root in elastic-plastic
range. J. Sot. mater. Sci. Japan 35, 904-910 (1986).
[3] Y. Akiniwa and K. Tanaka, Notch-root-radius effect on propagation of short fatigue cracks in notched specimens
of low-carbon steel. Trans. Janan Sot. Mech. Ennrs 53, 393-400 (1987).
[4] Y. Akiniwa and K. Tanaka, Notch-size effect on propagation threshold of short fatigue cracks. Trans. Japan Sot.
Me& Engrs 53, (1987).
[S] K. Tanaka and Y. Nakai, Prediction of fatigue threshold of notched components. J. engng Mater. Technol. 106,
192-199 (1984).
 Propagation threshold of short fatigue cracks 87.5

[6] K. Tanaka and Y. Akiniwa, A method for the prediction of fatigue limits of notched members. Trans. Jopan Sot.
Me& Engrs 53, 709-717 (1987).
[7] M. Ishida, On the tension of a strip with a central elliptic hole. Trans. Jqan Sot. Med. Engrs 21,507-513 (1955).
[8] P. Lukas and M. Klesnil, Fatigue liiit of notched bodies. Mater. Sci. Engng 34,61-66 (1978).
[9] H. Tada, P. C. Paris and G. R. Irwin, The Stress Analysis of Cracks FZandbook Del Research Corporation,
Hellertown, Pennsylvania (1973).
[lo] W. E. Brown, Jr and J. Srawiey, Plane Strain Crack Toug~ss Testing of High Strength Me~l~ic Madras, ASTM
STP 410, 13 (1966).
[ll] Y. Murakami, H. Tsuru and K. Sakamoto, Stress intensity factors for small surface cracks at the site of stress
concentrations. J. Sot. mater. Sci. Japan 35,998-1003 (1986).
[ 121 A. Otsuka, K. Mori and T. Miyata, The condition of fatigue crack growth in mixed mode condition. Engng Fracture
Mech. 7, 429-439 (1975).
1131 L. P. Pook, The Role of Crack Growth in Metal Fatigue p. 101. The Metal Society, London (1983).
[14] A. J. McEvily and K. Minagawa, Crack closure and the conditions for fatigue crack propagation. Fatigue Crack
Growth Tkres~~~ Concepts, (Edited by D. Davidson and S. Suresh), pp. 517-530. The Metallmgi~aI Society of
AIME (1984).
[ 151 H. Nisitani, Unifying treatment of fatigue crack growth laws in small, large and non-propagating cracks. Mechanics
of Fatigue (Edited by T. Mura), AMD Vol. 47, 151-166 ASME (1981).
[16] K. Tanaka, Y. Nakai and 0. Maekawa, Microscopic study of fatigue crack initiation and early propagation in
smooth specimen of low carbon steel. J. Sot. mater. Sci. Japan 31, 376-382 (1982).
[17] Y. Murakami and T. Endo, Effects of small defects on fatigue strength of metals. Int. J. Fatigue 2,23-30 (1980).

APPENDIX: STRESS INTENSITY FACTOR FOR CRACKS AT NOTCHES

Through- thickness crack in CNP specimens

When the crack length c is small compared with the notch-root radius p, the following SIF equation proposed by
Lukas et al.[8] is used.
& = cr& Fn(c)
F* = 1,1221(&l +4.5(clp)]“2 (Al)

where (T is the nominal stress and K, is the elastic stress concentration factor. On the other hand, for a long crack, the
following SIF equation[9] for a center crack of length Q = c + t is used.

I$+= (a/~)~‘*(1 - t/ W)[l -O.O~S(U/W)~ + 0.06(a/W)4][sec(na/2 Wtltn (A2)

where t is half the notch length and W is half the plate width. The values of I& and Ka become equal at a certain crack
length c*. In the present study, K is determined as follows:

K=& CSC*

K=KB c>c*.

The values of c* for the case of p = 0.16,0.39,0.83 and 3 mm are 0.10,0.18,0.29 and 0.59 mm, respectively. The above
method was also used in our previous studies[ 1,3].

Through-thickness crack in SEN specimens

The above method can not be appIied to the SEN specimen under in-plane bending, because the KA value does not
exceed the SIF value for cracked specimen (see eq. A5) even away from the notch. The finite element method was used
to compute K for a crack with length shorter than p, and the equation for single-edge crack is used for c s p. In the finite
element method, the triangular element with constant strain was used for the mesh and the J integral method was
adapted to compute the K value. The K value for c < p is approximated by

K = a& F(c)

F(c)=~.~~~K~~A~~A,~+A~~~~A~~~+A~~~]”~ (A41
r) = CIP.

The values of the coefficients for the cases of crack depths 0.1,0.3 and 3 mm are summarized in Table Al, together with
the numbers of nodes and elements.
For the case of c 2 p, the following equation[9] was used for F(c) value:

F(c)=(l- t/W)z(a/c)‘~2 [l.122-l.40(a/~+7.33(~/~2 - 13.08(~/~~+14.0(~/~~] (A5)

where W is the specimen width, t is the notch depth, and a = c + f.

Part-through crack at notch root

For a part-through semi-elliptical crack formed at the notch root in CNP and SEN specimens, the SIF value at the
deepest point of the crack was evaluated as the sum of the uniform tensile stress and bending components. The three
876 K. TANAKA and Y. AKINIWA

Table Al. Coefficients of SIF equation for single-edge-notched specimen

Notch depth Number of Number of

t (mm) nodes elements Ao Al AZ A3 A4

332 577 0.957 2.157 6.772 -7.396 2.809

011
;3 332
324 573
558 0.908
0.946 1.907
1.826 4.804
7,600 -6.339
-9.532 2.203
3.641

dimensional correction factor for a semi-elliptical crack under uniform tension is given by Murakami et al. El T] as

MT= I- 0.205OA - 0.8030h2 t 0.8458h3 - 0.2496A4

and that under bending is

MB = 1 - 0.6998h - 0.2348h2 + 0.3650A3 - 0.137711”

where A = c/b (c = the maximum depth, b = the half surface length).

By using the K value of a through-thickness crack whose length equals the maximum depth of an elliptical crack,
the fraction of tensile component RT and that of bending RB are determined by

R-r = K’/K = (l.f22ir,~)/lY

(A@
&=I--RT

where K’ = l.l22rr,J?rc is the SIF value due to tension and cl is the stress at a distance of c from the notch root. uI
value is determined either by the finite element method (for SEN specimen) or by the stress distribution around an
elliptical notch in an infinite plate (for the CNP specimen).
The SIF value KpB at the maximum depth of a semi-eiliptical crack is given by

&a = MTRTK f MB(l -R&C. 649)

The equivalent crack length ces for a part-through crack is calculated by making Kpa equal to the SIF value of a through
crack:

(AlO)