Procedure for the evaluation of the accumulation of defects in metallic structural materials under complex elastoplastic loading

Within framework of the continual fracture mechanics, we describe the engineering approach to the assessment of scattered microdamage accumulation kinetics in metallic materials under elastoplastic loading conditions in case of plane stressed state. Automatized experimental stand and the respective investigation technique are discussed. The stand has been developed based on modification of the UMé-10T electromechanic test machine. State-of-the-art computer technologies and microprocessing hardware are incorporated in the stand automation. We present the technique of experimental assessment of damage accumulation kinetics in metallic structural materials under complex elastoplastic loading conditions with account of two different fracture (cleavage and shear) processes, which technique is based on measuring the specific electric resistance of the specimen. __________ Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 1, pp. 128–137, January–February, 2006.