Fatigue damage of materials with small crack calculated by the ratio method under cyclic loading

This paper offers some new calculating equations on the small crack growth rate for describing the elastic-plastic behavior of materials under symmetric or un-symmetric cyclic loading. And it yet suggests the estimating formulas of the life relative to varied small crack size a(oi) at each loading history. The method is to adopt the ratio Delta epsilon(p)/Delta epsilon(e) by plastic strain range to elastic strain range as a stress-strain parameter, using some staple material parameters as the material constants in damage calculating expression. And it gives out a new concept of the composite material constant, that it is functional relation with each staple material constants, average stress average strain and critical loading time. The calculated results are accordant with the Landgraf's equation, so could avoid unnecessary fatigue tests and will be of practical significance to stint times, manpower and capitals, the convenience for engineering applications.