Monte-Carlo simulation of surface crack growth rate for offshore structural steel E36-Z35

The Monte- Carlo method is used to simulate the surface fatigue crack growt h rate for offshore structural steel E36-Z35, and to determine the distribu tions and relevance of the parameters in the Paris equation. By this method , the time and cost of fatigue crack propagation testing can be reduced. Th e application of the method is demonstrated by use of four sets of fatigue crack propagation data for offshore structural steel E36-Z35. A comparison of the test data with the theoretical prediction for surface crack growth r ate shows the application of the simulation method to the fatigue crack pro pagation tests is successful.