Fatigue crack growth

In this chapter we will first present a synopsis of the theoretical foundation of linear and nonlinear fracture mechanics. In recent years a number of monographs, textbooks and conference proceedings have been published on the subject of fracture mechanics (see for example [1–10] where further references are listed). Our objective is not to present a review of these works, but to provide sufficient background so that the treatment of crack growth — the main objective of this chapter — can be followed with relative ease. In pursuing this objective we have been heavily influenced by general articles and book chapters by Rice [11, 12] and Hutchinson [13, 14]. In particular, Hutchinson’s booklet [15] provides a remarkably concise but full treatment of nonlinear fracture mechanics. Since some aspects of nonlinear fracture mechanics are a straightforward generalization of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) we will begin this chapter with a brief summary of the foundation of LEFM. No attempt is made to give either a historical account of earlier contributions, or to provide a guide to the existing comprehensive literature. (An interested reader could consult some of the major works such as Liebowitz’s Advanced Treatise on Fracture in seven volumes [1], or more recent monographs and review articles [4, 8–10].)