A novel approach to predict fretting fatigue crack initiation

This paper proposes a simplified approximation of the velocity fields close to the contact edge using non-local intensity factors and reference fields. This non-local description is not affected by size or gradient effects and leads to unique crack initiation boundaries. Linear intensity factor I represents the contribution of the elastic field on the total one and can be determined thanks to the macroscopic load even with coarse mesh. While the complementary intensity factor I-c describes the friction effect and is proportional to the size of the partial slip zone. The prediction of I-c using I through an incremental approach allows to predict the velocity fields for complex loadings and can be used to set up criteria to predict crack initiation.