ELASTOPLASTIC CONTACT STRESS-ANALYSIS OF JOINTS SUBJECTED TO CYCLIC LOADING

Rigorous elastic-plastic finite element analysis of joints subjected t o cyclic loading is carried out. An incremental-iterative algorithm is developed in a modular form combining elasto-plastic material behavio ur and contact stress analysis. For the case of the interference fit, the analysis sequentially carries out insertion of the pin and applica tion of the load on the joint, covering possible initiation of separat ion (and/or yielding) and progressively the receding/advancing contact at the pin-plate interface. Deformations of both the plate and the pi n are considered in the analysis. Numerical examples are presented for the case of an interference fit pin in a large plate under remote cyc lic tension, and for an interference fit pin lug joint subjected to cy clic loading. A detailed study is carried out for the latter problem c onsidering the effect of change in contact/separation at the pin-plate interface on local stresses, strains and redistribution of these stre sses with the spread of a plastic zone. The results of the study are a useful input for the estimation of the fatigue life of joints. Copyri ght (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd