Numerical Simulation of Inclusion Size Distribution Responsible for Fatigue Crack Initiation

Numerlcal simulations considering spatial and size distributions of nonmetallic inclusions in the material have been carried out for the purpose of initiating a discussion concerning the critical size of the inclusion responsible for the fatigue failure of high-strength steel. Results show that the geometrically largest inclusion within a critical volume of the specimen is not necessarily responsible for the fatigue failure of such material, and that the most dangerous inclusion for fatigue failure is that of the near surface having the largest relative inclusion size calculated from the spatial distribution of inclusions within the critical volume of the specimen.