Prediction of fatigue crack growth path in mechanical joints using a weight function approach

Cracks often initiate from the mechanical joints which are widely used in structural components. It has been reported that cracks in mechanical joints are under mixed‐mode condition and there is a critical angle at which mode I stress intensity factor becomes maximum. The crack propagates in an arbitrary direction and the prediction of fatigue crack growth path is needed to provide against crack propagation and examine safety. In this study, mixed‐mode fatigue crack growth tests are performed for horizontal and critical inclined cracks in mechanical joints. Fatigue crack growth paths are predicted using a weight function approach and maximum tangential stress criterion.