Modelling fatigue crack growth in shape memory alloys

Journal article

We present a phase field-based framework for modelling fatigue damage in Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs). The model combines, for the first time: (i) a generalized phase field description of fracture, incorporating multiple phase field formulations, (ii) a constitutive model for SMAs, based on a Drucker–Prager form of the transformation surface, and (iii) a fatigue degradation function, with damage driven by both elastic and transformation strains. The theoretical framework is numerically implemented, and the resulting linearized system is solved using a robust monolithic scheme, based on quasi-Newton methods. Several paradigmatic boundary value problems are addressed to gain insight into the role of transformation stresses, stress-strain hysteresis, and temperature. Namely, we compute Δε − N curves, quantify Paris law parameters, and predict fatigue crack growth rates in several geometries. In addition, the potential of the model for solving large-scale problems is demonstrated by simulating the fatigue failure of a 3D lattice structure.

Authors: Simoes, M; Braithwaite, C; Makaya, A; Martinez-Paneda, E

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: Fatigue and Fracture of Engineering Materials and Structures
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1243-1257
• Publication date: 2022-01-13
• Acceptance date: 2021-12-15
• DOI: 10.1111/ffe.13638
• EISSN: 1460-2695
• ISSN: 8756-758X
• Language: English
• Keywords: fatigue; finite element analysis; FFR; phase field; fracture; shape memory alloys