A novel approach to predict fretting fatigue crack initiation

Abstract

This paper proposes a simplified approximation of the velocity fields close to the contact edge using non-local intensity factors and reference fields. This non-local description is not affected by size or gradient effects and leads to unique crack initiation boundaries. Linear intensity factor I represents the contribution of the elastic field on the total one and can be determined thanks to the macroscopic load even with coarse mesh. While the complementary intensity factor Ic describes the friction effect and is proportional to the size of the partial slip zone. The prediction of Ic using I through an incremental approach allows to predict the velocity fields for complex loadings and can be used to set up criteria to predict crack initiation.