An investigation of crack closure and the propagation of semi-elliptical fatigue cracks in Q1N (HY80) pressure vessel steel

The results of an experimental investigation of the effect of crack closure on the propagation of semi-elliptical fatigue cracks are presented. Load-shedding fatigue threshold tests were carried out at stress ratios of 0.2, 0.35, 0.5 and 0.7. Crack closure was measured at the surface and depth positions using backface strain gauges, near-tip gauges, and a clip gauge. Differences between the surface and depth growth behaviour are explained by considerations of the effects of the transition from plane stress conditions at the surface to plane strain conditions at the depth. The effects of stress ratios are attributed largely to differences in the crack opening displacement, which result in asperities coming into contact to induce roughness-induced crack closure.