A Numerical and Experimental Study of the Development of Semi-Elliptical Fatigue Cracks by Defect Coalescence

Twaddle, Brian Robert (1991) A Numerical and Experimental Study of the Development of Semi-Elliptical Fatigue Cracks by Defect Coalescence. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Fatigue failure of large fabricated structures can occur through the propagation of several small defects which either pre-exist in the structure as a result of the fabrication process or which initiate under the action of cyclic loading. The propagation of these small defects results in the coalescence of several small defects to form a dominant fatigue crack which then propagates to cause failure. In welded components such as the tubular joints of offshore jacket structures the dominant crack is often a semielliptical surface crack at the toe of the fillet weld. Existing methodologies offer simplistic approaches to predict the behaviour of adjacent surface defects. In general fracture mechanics offers a rational approach for the assessment of such problems.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Keywords: Mechanical engineering
• Date of Award: 1991
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1991-77284
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jan 2020 09:13
• Last Modified: 14 Jan 2020 09:13
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/77284