Engineering Materials HW04 Solution

1. For the problem of the fast fatigue crack propagation, what is the number of cycles for the crack
propagating from length a1 to a2 under the applied stress amplitude ? Hint: use the Paris formula
da/dN = A(K)m, assuming m = 7, and K is a function of a.
Ans:

da
A(K ) m
dN

Nf

da
,
A( K ) m

af

ai

where

K a

Nf

a2

a1

, ai = a1, af = a2, m = 7.

da
1

7
A( a )
A( )7

5 / 2

5 / 2

2 a1
a2

5 A( )7

a2

a1

a 2 da

2. A large flat plate is subjected to constant-amplitude uniaxial cyclic tensile and compressive stresses
of 120 and 35 MPa, respectively. If before testing the largest surface crack is 1.00 mm and the
plain-strain fracture toughness of the plate is 35 MPa, estimate the fatigue life of the plate in cycles
to failure. For the plate, m = 3.5 and A =5.0 x 10-12 in MPa and meter units. Assume Y = 1.3.
Ans:

1 K
a f IC
Y f

a f K IC 2 a max

Y 2 f

where KIC = 35 106 Nm-1/2, Y = 1.3, a = 1mm, = 120 0 = 120 MPa

amax = 0.016m = a2
da
A( K )m 5 10 12 ( K )3.5 5 10 12 ( Y amax )3.5
dN

m = 3.5 Mpa and A = 5 10-12 meter, a1 = 0.001m

Nf

af

ai

( m-2) / 2

( m-2) / 2

da
2
a1
a2

A( K ) m ( m - 2)
A( Y ) m

1.18 105 cycles

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0.001(3.5-2) / 2 0.016(3.5-2) / 2
2
(3.5 - 2) 5 10-12 1203.5 3.5/2 1.33.5

Engineering Materials HW04 Solution

3. The S-N curve of a material is described by the relationship

S
log N 10 1
0

Here N is the number of cycles to failure, S is the amplitude of the applied cyclic stress, and s 0 is the
monotonic fracture strength. A component made of this material is subjected to 10 4 cycles at S=0.5
0. If the cyclic load is now increased to S=0.75 0, how many more cycles will the component
withstand?
Ans:
log N f 10 (1

s
)
0

s = 0.50
log N f 10 (1 0.5) 5 N f 105

s = 0.750
log N f ' 10 (1 0.75) 2.5 N f ' 102.5
n
N
N1
N
2 i 1
N f1 N f 2
i 1 N f i

Miners rule

10 4
x
2.5 1 x 285 cycles
5
10
10

4. From a stress controlled, high-cycle fatigue test, one finds statistically that the specimens fails at N f
= 106 cycles under = 300 MPa, and N f = 3 x 106 cycles under = 270 MPa. (a) What is the
Basquins exponent? (Hint: (Nf)a = constant, the symbol a is the Basquins exponent.) (b)
Calculate the stress amplitude needed for the specimens failed at 108 cycles.
Ans:
4.a
Nf1 = 106 cycles, 1 = 300 MPa
Nf2 = 3 106 cycles, 1 = 270 MPa
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Engineering Materials HW04 Solution

( N f ) a constant

log
N

1 ( N f 1 ) a 2 ( N f 2 ) a f 2 1 a
2

Nf 1
log

1
300

log

2
270

3 106
Nf 2
log

6
1

10
Nf 1

a = 0.0959
4.b

N
1 f 1
Nf

106
300 10 8
10

0.0959

192.9 MPa

amplitude = /2 = 96.4 MPa

5. Steady state creep data for an alloy is taken at a stress level of 70 MPa.

&ss sec

T (K)

1 x 10

977

2.5 x 10-3

1089

-5

The value of stress exponent of this alloy n=7. (a) Suppose that a specimen 750 mm long of this
alloy is subjected to a tensile stress of 70 MPa at 1000 K. What is the elongation due to steady state
creep for 5hr? (b) What is the steady state creep rate at 1089K and a stress level of 50 MPa ?
Ans:
5.a

ss A e
n

Q
RT

,n=7

For = 70 MPa, T = 977K, ss = 1 10-5 s-1

ss1 A(70 106 )7 e

Q 1
R 977

(1)

1 10-5

For = 70 MPa, T = 1089K, ss = 2.5 10-3 s-1

ss 2 A(70 106 ) 7 e

Q 1
R 1089

(2)

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Engineering Materials HW04 Solution

Q

(1)/(2) e R ( 977 -1089 ) 4 10 -3

Q/R = 52451.6, substitute into Eq.(1)

A = 2.51 10-37

When T = 1000K and tensile stress = 70 MPa

ss 2.51 10

- 37

(70 10 ) e
6 7

52451.6(

1
)
1000

3.438 10 -5 s 1

If time is 5 hrs
= 3.438 10-5 (5 60 60) = 0.6188
Elongation l = l0 = 0.6188 750 = 464 mm
5.b

ss A n e

Q
RT

where A = 2.51 10-37, = 50 MPa, Q/R = 52451.6

ss = 2.51 10-37 (50 106)7 e-52451.6/1089 = 2.372 10-4 s-1

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