Crack-tip stress-strain fields during cyclic loading and effect of overload

Finite-deformation elastoplastic analysis of a plane-strain crack subjected to mode I cyclic loading under small scale yielding was performed. The influence of the load range, load ratio and overload on the crack tip stress-strain field is presented. Two independent parameters of cyclic loading, such as Delta K and K-max, both substantially affect the near tip evolutions of cyclic stresses and plastic strains, in agreement with typical experimental trends of fatigue cracking. This implies that the behaviour of cracks is governed by stress and strain fields ahead of the tip, via their control over the key process variables (damage accumulation and rupture, i.e., bond-breaking), so that the coupled process becomes a two-parameter one in terms of fracture mechanics variables Delta K and K-max.