Mixed mode fatigue crack growth in test coupons made from 2024-T3 aluminum

In this paper, two different fracture criteria are applied to determine the crack trajectory or angle of crack propagation in test specimens containing inclined cracks emanating from open holes. Also, different crack growth rate models are assumed for each criterion. The maximum principal stress criterion is used with a crack growth-rate equation based on an effective stress intensity factor. The strain energy density criterion is used with a crack growth-rate equation corresponding to an effective strain energy density factor. The crack growth-rate models for each criterion were constructed using unpublished fatigue crack growth data for 2024-T3 aluminum.