Simulation of fatigue crack growth in the high speed machined panel under the constant amplitude and spectrum loading

Abstract

The paper describes methodology of numerical simulation of fatigue crack growth and its application on integrally stiffened panels made of 2024-T351 aluminium alloy using high speed cutting technique. Presented approach starts by the calculation of stress intensity factor function from finite element results obtained using MSC.Patran/Nastran. Subsequent crack growth analyses were done in NASGRO. For predictions of crack growth under the spectrum loading a sequence representing service loading of the transport airplane wing was prepared. Three crack growth models were applied: non-interaction, Willenborg and Strip Yield. Relatively large experimental program comprising both the constant amplitude and spectrum tests on integral panels and CCT specimens was undertaken in order to acquire crack growth rate data and enable verification of simulations. The work was performed within the scope of the 6th Framework Programme project DaToN. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009.