Engineering Significance of Recent Multiaxial Research

Recent advances in multiaxial fatigue testing capabilities have provided the means with which to evaluate multiaxial life prediction techniques. As a result of the recent surge in testing, several key concepts have emerged as common threads in the results of contemporary multiaxial fatigue investigators. These concepts are discussed within the framework of three major areas: (1) effective stress-strain, (2) plastic work and energy, and (3) critical plane approaches. While general agreement within the technical community has not been reached on many fine points of analytical techniques and predictive expressions, their sensitivity with respect to multiaxial spectrum characteristics, physical interpretation, and ease of application has been described. It is suggested that surveying the present accomplishments will provide valuable insight for steering the future directions of multiaxial low cycle fatigue research.