Evaluation of the probability distribution of crack propagation life in metal fatigue by means of probabilistic finite element method and B-models

In this paper, a new model for the prediction of the cumulative distributio n function of fatigue life of structural elements during the crack propagat ion stage is established. This problem is considered as a cumulative damage process following the probabilistic approach of Bogdanoff and Kozin (B-mod els). The initial and final crack lengths, the crack propagation angle, the material fracture and elastic parameters and the external loads have been the random Variables considered here. The theoretical bases of the model an d the procedure to construct it are described in the forthcoming paragraphs such as several examples for mode I problems including the comparison with experimental results. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.