An evaluation of linear cumulative damage (Miner's Law) using kinetic crack growth theory

Taking a basis set of creep failure functions as specifying the failure properties for a class of materials, various damage laws can be used to predict failure under any type of stress history. A particularly convenient form is that of Miner's law also known as Linear Cumulative Damage. However, such damage laws are entirely empirical and of uncertain value. A kinetic crack growth theory developed for polymers is used to evaluate Linear Cumulative Damage. LCD is found to be generally unsatisfactory. However, there is an important sub-class of cases where it does perform well, and this can be of importance in an accelerated testing methodology for polymers.