MECHANISMS FOR FATIGUE DAMAGE ACCUMULATION IN LAYERED COMPOSITES UNDER COMPLEX PROGRAM LOADING: EXISTING HYPOTHESES

Metallurgy and Materials
Authors:
Abstract:

We have considered three types of complex program cyclic loading, which are most often used in fatigue tests of samples from layered composites. It is noted that the choice of fatigue damage accumulation rule in fatigue life predictions of layered composites under similar loading is one of the main factors determining the accuracy of predictions. We have carried out review and brief analysis of five different fatigue damage accumulation rules, used by different authors in fatigue life predictions of layered composites under the given types of cyclic loading. We have analyzed practical applications of different fatigue damage accumulation rules when performing design estimates. In order to increase the accuracy of fatigue life estimates of layered composites under complex program loading, we made conclusions and recommendations for using different rules for a specific type of complex program loading. Results of fatigue life predictions of layered composites are presented, demonstrating the validity of conclusions and the proposed recommendations.