Fatigue Life Estimation for an Aircraft Engine Fan Blade

In this paper,stress states under corresponding condition of an aero-engine fan blade using finite element stress-strain analysis for three work cycles in the 900 h load spectrum are obtained.Through the nominal stress method,we calculated the fatigue notch factor and combined the material characteristics of TC6 to correct the material curve to the fan blades curve. Finally,the fatigue life of a fan blade was estimated using the linear cumulative damage rule and nonlinear cumulative damage theory.

Generation and Application of A Standardized Load-Time History to Tubular T-joints in Offshore Platforms

Marine structures are mostly made of metals and always experience complex random loading during their service periods. The fatigue crack growth behaviors of metal materials have been proved from laboratory tests to be sensitive to the loading sequence encountered. In order to take account of the loading sequence effect, fatigue life prediction should be based on fatigue crack propagation（FCP） theory rather than the currently used cumulative fatigue damage（CFD） theory. A unified fatigue life prediction（UFLP） method for marine structures has been proposed by the authors＇ group. In order to apply the UFLP method for newly designed structures, authorities such as the classification societies should provide a standardized load-time history（SLH） such as the TWIST and FALSTAFF sequences for transport and fighter aircraft. This paper mainly aims at proposing a procedure to generate the SLHs for marine structures based on a short-term loading sample and to provide an illustration on how to use the presented SLH to a typical tubular T-joint in an offshore platform based on the UFLP method.

Application of viscoelastic continuum damage approach to predict fatigue performance of Binzhou perpetual pavements

For this study, the Binzhou perpetual pavement test sections constructed in Shandong Province, China, were simulated for long-term fatigue performance using the layered viscoelastic pavement analysis for critical distresses （LVECD） finite element software package. In this framework, asphalt concrete was treated in the context of linear visco- elastic continuum damage theory. A recently developed unified fatigue failure criterion that defined the boundaries of the applicable region of the theory was also incorporated. The mechanistic modeling of the fatigue mechanisms was able to accommodate the complex temperature variations and loading conditions of the field pavements in a rigorous manner. All of the material models were conveniently characterized by dynamic modulus tests and direct tension cyclic fatigue tests in the laboratory using cylindrical specimens. By comparing the obtained damage characteristic curves and failure criteria, it is found that mixtures with small aggregate particle sizes, a dense gradation, and modified asphalt binder tended to exhibit the best fatigue resistance at the material level. The 15 year finite element structural simulation results for all the test sections indicate that fa- tigue performance has a strong dependence on the thickness of the asphalt pavements. Based on the predicted location and severity of the fatigue damage, it is recommended that Sections 1 and 3 of the Binzhou test sections be emoloved for perpetual pavement design.