Fatigue crack growth under mixed mode I plus III loading

Mixed mode I + III fatigue crack growth is studied numerically and experimentally by using modified CT specimen. Some parameters such as initial angle and initial length of crack, thickness and load ratios can affect the fatigue behaviors. The crack growth path and surface, crack front length, variations of stress intensity factors, twisting of crack surface and fatigue lives were determined by using Franc3d and compared with experimental data. By increasing angle and length of initial crack, mode I effects decrease while mode III effects increase. Mode II of the fracture is almost negligible for the modified CT specimen. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.