Prediction of low and high crack growth rates under constant and variable amplitude loading

Applicability of rainflow counting to crack growth analysis of complex loading is discussed. The rainflow counting method can account for the effects of small and high loading cycles under spectrum loading conditions. A new incremental crack growth model which accounts for these effects is introduced. The model is compared with experimental constant amplitude data from the literature. This paper was prepared for presentation at the Third Int. Spring Meeting on "Fatigue crack growth under variable amplitude loading", to be held on June 15 - 17, 1988, in Paris, France