Fatigue with Fracture Mechanics (PFA_FATIGUE_VCCT)

View Product Datasheet (PDF)

Product Highlights:

·         Effectively evaluates the fatigue life of a metal structure by combing the Progressive Failure Analysis-Virtual Crack Closure Technique (PFA-VCCT) and Fatigue Crack Growth (FCG) modules together.

·         Reliably analyzes the fracture development and growth in a metal structure along the predetermined path under the applied cyclic loading.

·         The approach is fracture-mechanics based. It requires:

o        A predetermined fracture path based on either of the following: 1) experimental testing; 2) a preliminary GENOA/PFA analysis; or 3) the user experience. The predetermined path can be effectively prescribed using the GENOA GUI

o        A fatigue crack growth curve (da/dN vs. DK data) for the material under consideration. The curve can be obtained from tests, standard handbooks, or calculated by using GENOA-FCG for a specific panel thickness and stress ratio

o        The S-N curve for the selected material (derived from tests or found in the open literature).

·         Can be used with the GENOA-PA to account for the probabilistic nature of fatigue.

·         The approach is restricted to linear elastic materials and shell elements.

Applications/Benefits:

·         Accurately evaluates the service life of metal structures subject to cyclic loads.

·         Effectively analyzes the development of the fatigue failure initiation site in aerospace, automotive and other metallic structures.

·         Accounts for the probabilistic nature of fatigue.