Statistical modeling of fatigue crack growth rate in pre-strained 7475-T7351 aluminum alloy

In this study, 7475-T7351 aluminum strips were subjected to two tensile pre-strain levels of 3% and 5%. Using compact tension C(T) specimens, fatigue crack growth tests were conducted under constant amplitude loading at stress ratios of 0.1 and 0.5 in air and at room temperature. Three fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) models, namely, Collipriest, Priddle, and NASGRO were examined. To handle the effect of stress ratio on FCGR, Walker equivalent stress intensity factor model was used. Consequently, generalized Collipriest (GC), generalized Priddle (GP), and generalized NASGRO (GN) models were developed and fitted to the FCGR data. It was shown that both GC and GP models fit the FCGR data in a similar fashion. However, the GP model provided a better fit than the GC model. The GN model was found to be the most appropriate model for the data. Therefore, this model may be suggested for use in critical applications, such as aeronautical structural design. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.