Probabilistic modelling of fatigue crack initiation from pits and pit clusters in aluminium alloys

Abstract

A numerical model of crack initiation under high cycle fatigue loading from pits is investigated in this paper. A probability based pit growth model, which takes into account the influence of mechanical cyclic load and particle clusters present in alloys, is used for investigations. Critical pit sizes, calculated using linear elastic fracture mechanics principles, are used to determine the probability of crack initiation for different conditions. The results are critically compared to extract an insight on the parameters that control the pit growth behaviour and thereby the fatigue crack initiation.