Development of a stress-based creep-fatigue equation: Accommodating pure-fatigue to pure-creep for the high-cycle loading regime

Background The creep-fatigue damage in low-cycle regime has been described by a strain-based creep-fatigue equation through integrating creep effect into fatigue damage. Need There is a need to develop a creep-fatigue equation which describes the stress-controlled creep-fatigue behaviour in high-cycle regime. Approach This stress-based creep-fatigue equation was developed through superposing a fatigue mechanism with a creep mechanism. This creep-fatigue equation was then validated on GP91 casting steel. The creep-fatigue data were transformed to the reference condition and collapsed into one power-law curve with good quality. Outcomes This result verified the formulas of the fatigue component and the creep component, and demonstrated the method of extracting the coefficients. The full-range characteristic of this creep-fatigue equation is discussed. In addition, the introduction of the compatibility presents a better description of the reference condition. Originality A new creep-fatigue equation is provided with demonstrably good ability to cover the full range of conditions from the pure-fatigue condition to the pure-creep condition for the high-cycle regime. The method of extracting the coefficients is also provided.