Ratcheting progress at notch root of 1045 steel samples over asymmetric loading cycles: Experiments and analyses

The present study examines ratcheting response of steel samples with various notch diameters through conducting several cyclic tests. Ratcheting strain values were measured through strain gauges mounted at different distances from the notch root. Local ratcheting at the notch region was highly influenced by notch diameter, notch shape, distance from the notch root, and magnitude of the nominal mean/amplitude of loading cycles. Nominal force‐controlled cycles were kept below the yield point and the Neuber's rule accommodated for the maximum/minimum local stress components along those local strains measured through the strain gauges at the notch region. Plastic strains at the vicinity of notch root over loading cycles were further accumulated by means of the Chaboche hardening model. The local ratcheting strain while progressed at the notch root plastic zone over loading cycles resulted in mean stress relaxation controlled by the model.