Determination of Local Stresses and Strains within the Notch Strain Approach: The Efficient and Accurate Calculation of Notch Root Strains Using Finite Element Analysis

For the service life estimation of metallic components under cyclic loading according to strain-based approaches, a simulation of the elastic-plastic stress–strain path at the point of interest is necessary. An efficient method for determining this stress–strain path is the use of the load–notch-strain curve, as this is also implemented within the FKM guideline nonlinear. The load–notch-strain curve describes the relationship between the load on the component and the local elastic-plastic strain. On the one hand, this can be estimated from loads or theoretical elastic stresses by using notch root approximations. On the other hand, this can be determined in a finite element analysis based on the elastic-plastic material behaviour. This contribution describes how this latter option is carried out in general and how it can be optimised in such a way that the FEA requires significantly less calculation time. To show the benefit of this optimisation, a comparative calculation on an exemplary geometry is carried out.