Analytical modelling of fatigue crack propagation

An analytical approach to the prediction of fatigue crack growth is discuss ed from the viewpoint of analytical mechanics and mechanics of solids. Cond itions of fatigue crack non-propagation and stability are formulated in ter ms of the principle of virtual work for systems with unilateral constraints . Additional variables are introduced for the description of damage accumul ated ahead of cracks and conditions at the damaged crack tips. Applications are given to high-cycle and low-cycle fatigue cracks in metallic structure s. A brief survey is included of recent studies of fatigue and related phen omena based on the presented theory.