Multiaxial high-cycle fatigue life prediction under random spectrum loadings

Abstract A multiaxial fatigue life prediction model under general multiaxial random loadings is proposed in this paper. First, a brief review for existing multiaxial fatigue models is given with a special focus is on the Liu- Mahadevan critical plane concept, which can be applied to both brittle and ductile materials. Next, the new model development based on the Liu-Mahadevan critical plane concept for random loading is presented. The key concept is to use two-steps to identify the critical plane: identify the maximum damage plane due to normal stress and calculate the critical plane orientation with respect to the maximum damage plane due to normal stress. Multiaxial rain-flow cycle counting method with mean stress correction is used to estimate the damage on the critical plane. Equivalent stress transformation is proposed to convert the multiaxial random load spectrum to an equivalent constant amplitude spectrum. The equivalent stress is then used for fatigue life predictions. The proposed model is validated with both literature and in-house testing data generated using an Al 7075-T6 alloy under various random uniaxial and multiaxial spectrums. Comparison between experimental and predicted fatigue life lives shows good agreements; thus, demonstrating efficacy of the proposed model. Finally, concluding remarks and future work based on the results obtained are discussed.