Experimental Characterization of the Elastic-Plastic Strain Fields at the Crack Tip Due to Cyclic Loading

Some mechanical components cease to function satisfactorily, failing either under excessive elastic deformation or extensive plastic yielding. In the case of constrained plastification, the researcher is faced with some difficulties in evaluating plastic and elastic-plastic strain behavior near the crack tip. In the present study local strains are measured by microstrain gages, mounted near the crack tip on CT specimens made from the high strength aluminum alloy 2024-T351 under cyclic loading at constant ΔK. The behavior and the evolution of the elastic-plastic zone are studied as a function of the stress ratio R, the thickness of the specimen and the level of ΔK. The experimental results are compared with those given by numerical and theoretical analyses based on the concepts of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM).