International Journal of Fatigue, Volume 50, May 2013, Pages 83-88.
H.A. Richard, M. Sander, B. Schramm, G. Kullmer, M. Wirxel
Institute of Applied Mechanics (FAM), University of Paderborn, Germany
Structural Mechanics (StM), University of Rostock, Germany
Abstract
Components and structures are usually constructed according to strength principles. Fatigue crack growth in components and fracture of structures consistently occur due to, e.g. high local stresses, material and manufacturing defects. The following article deals with different examples of crack growth in real structures. These examples shall exemplify learning from damages and consequently preventing failure of components and structures in the future. Furthermore a simulation method is presented to simulate fatigue crack growth in any three-dimensional structures.