Fatigue cracking in damaged cylinders subjected to cyclic compressive loading

This paper presents the results of analytical and experimental investigations of the occurrence of cracking in thin-walled structures which are damaged and subjected to axial compressive loading with cyclically varying magnitude. The experimental investigation comprised nine test specimens, namely three plain cylinders, three plain ring stiffened and three T-ring stiffened cylinders. The paper describes the method whereby damage was inflicted on the cylinders and describes test results, including strain gauge data.

The analysis was performed using a commercial finite element program which incorporated non-linearities in the strain-displacement and stress-strain relationships. The results of the analysis were found to be in good agreement with the test results, and the occurrence of cracking was noted to be dependent on the combined levels of tensile residual stresses due to the damage and to the levels of compressive stresses due to the imposed loading.