Analysis of different fatigue damage accumulation theories and damage parameters based on experiments with the steel HC340LA

Different theories for the fatigue life estimation under variable amplitude loading were analysed and compared based on experimental test of specimens of the steel HC340LA. Some of the most representative models and damage parameters were selected: The parameter PSWT; the parameter PJ, based on fracture mechanics of short cracks; the non‐linear‐continuous‐damage (NLCD) model, based on continuum damage mechanics and the energy‐based damage theory from Ellyin. Each method was illustrated and discussed also basing on the experimental results obtained with specimens of the steel HC340LA in as‐received state and with specimens of the same material after the process of linear flow splitting. The use of the parameter of Smith‐Watson Topper seemed to be the most suitable for the evaluation of fatigue life for HC340LA.