Fatigue Life Prediction under Thermomechanical Loading in Cracked Structures: A Unified Approach
| International Journal of Mechanical Engineering |
| © 2025 by SSRG - IJME Journal |
| Volume 12 Issue 4 |
| Year of Publication : 2025 |
| Authors : Otmane Aboulhassane, Abdelhadi El Hakimi, Abderrahim Chamat, Abdelhamid Touache |
10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I4P109
How to Cite?
Otmane Aboulhassane, Abdelhadi El Hakimi, Abderrahim Chamat, Abdelhamid Touache, "Fatigue Life Prediction under Thermomechanical Loading in Cracked Structures: A Unified Approach," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 109-116, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I4P109
Abstract:
This study examines crack damage resulting from thermomechanical loading in tubular heat exchanger components, a vital concern for the safety and longevity of industrial facilities. The foundational concepts of fracture mechanics examine fatigue crack propagation mechanisms, emphasizing the characterization of stress fields at the crack tip via the stress intensity factor (K) and the J-integral. Focus is directed towards a comprehensive methodology for predicting fatigue life, namely empirical models based on Paris' rule and its adaptations, including the Elber, Tomkins, and Solomon-Skelton models, which additionally assess crack growth rates in relation to cyclic loading amplitude. A finite element numerical model is created to evaluate fracture propagation in a cracked tube under combined thermal and mechanical loading in real-world conditions. The research investigates the effects of temperature (300°C and 550°C), mechanical load, and the interplay between these factors on the kinetics of semi-elliptical crack propagation. The numerical results are subsequently checked with experimental data from the literature to verify the accuracy of the predictions. This comparison underscores the advantages and drawbacks of standard analytical models, especially concerning the impact of thermomechanical effects on the fatigue life of cracked structures.
Keywords:
Damage, J-integral, Paris' law, Stress Intensity Factor (SIF), Material behavior law, Stainless steel, 316L, Heat exchanger.
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