FATIGUE AND FRACTURE ESTIMATION FOR METALLIC COMPONENTS - SOME CURRENT METHODS AND FUTURE-DEVELOPMENTS

Current approaches widely used in fatigue and fracture evaluations of mechanical components are summarized. Metallic alloys, and fatigue and fracture behaviour in the absence of environmental effects such as co rrosion or elevated temperatures, are considered. Certain shortcomings in the approaches are then discussed, followed by samples of recent w ork to improve the capabilities to make fatigue and fracture assessmen ts. Finally, future developments that could further enhance those capa bilities ale suggested.