Mixed‐Mode Stress Intensity Factor Evaluation via Thermoelastic Stress Analysis Including Non‐Adiabatic Correction

ABSTRACT Characterization of the crack tip, such as the stress intensity factor (SIF), is a vital step for the assessment of fatigue crack growth and prediction of potential failure in engineering structures. This study investigates the use of thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) for SIF evaluation, including a methodology for non‐adiabatic stress field correction to overcome limitations that occur due to heat conduction. Finite element modeling is used to demonstrate the limits of the underlying mathematical procedure for Mode I and Mode II loading, including the effects of crack tip plasticity, loading frequency, and material thickness. Experimental validation is undertaken through fatigue crack growth experiments using modified disk‐shaped compact tension samples. The TSA based SIF evaluation technique with non‐adiabatic correction enables robust experimental validation of reference SIF solutions and finite element modeling, as well as a means for direct measurement in cases where theory solutions are not available.