A fatigue model developed by modification of Gough's theory, for random non-proportional loading conditions and three-dimensional stress fields

As a first stage, fatigue damage models proposed by some well-known references and the corresponding assumptions are discussed and some enhancements are proposed. Generally, these models are suitable for bending-torsion fatigue problems with zero mean stress and are restricted to cases where the numbers of cycles of the stress components are identical. In the present paper, a general fatigue model for the HCF regime is proposed. This model overcomes most of the shortcomings of the previous theories and is suitable for life assessment in three-dimensional stress fields. Furthermore, a different critical plane concept is introduced and a different life assessment algorithm is presented. Since results of the previous fatigue theories are generally validated by experiments done on simple components with simple loading time histories, the discrepancies exist among the various theories have not been invoked appropriately. In the current paper, validity of these theories as well as the modified versions proposed in the current paper and the new criterion is examined for more general cases with non-proportional random loadings and complicated geometries. Finally, results of the various theories are compared with the experimental results. Experimental results are prepared for both proportional and non-proportional cases. Significant enhancements are observed due to employing the proposed modifications, especially for three-dimensional stress fields and random loadings. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.