Advances on creep-fatigue damage assessment in notched components

In this paper, the extended Direct Steady Cyclic Analysis method (eDSCA) within the Linear Matching Method Framework (LMMF) is combined with the Stress Modified Ductility Exhaustion method and the modified Cavity Growth Factor (CGF) for the first time. This new procedure is used to systematically investigate the effect of several load parameters including load level, load type and creep dwell duration on the creep-fatigue crack initiation process in a notched specimen. The results obtained are verified through a direct comparison with experimental results available in the literature demonstrating great accuracy in predicting the crack initiation life and the driving mechanisms. Furthermore, this extensive numerical study highlighted the possible detrimental effect of the creep-ratchetting mechanism on the crack growth process. This work has a significant impact on structural integrity assessments of complex industrial components and for the better understanding of creep-fatigue lab scale tests.