Plastic Strain Energy in Low-Cycle Fatigue

Abstract

Notched specimens, fabricated from a low alloy pressure vessel steel (A-S33 Bl, were subjected to fatigue tests. These tests showed the influence of the theoretical stress concentration factor, K t , on the fatigue life. A energy-based criterion has been adopted and it is shown that the total strain energy per cycle, LlW t = LlWp + JW e , is a proper damage parameter which can be used for the life prediction of notched elements. Finite element analysis was carried out considering both the cyclic and monotonic stress-strain curves of the material. The strain energy was calculated and compared with the experimental values; these showed a good agreement and a life prediction was made.