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Detailing novel, cutting-edge methods of evaluating brittle fracture and fatigue, this book includes enhancements to the Neuber concept of fictitious notch rounding and new applications of the DJ-integral approach to assessing cyclic plasticity crack growth.

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In five chapters, this volume presents recent developments in fatigue assessment. In the first chapter, a generalized Neuber concept of fictitious notch rounding is presented where the microstructural support factors depend on the notch opening angle besides the loading mode. The second chapter specifies the notch stress factor including the strain energy density and J-integral concept while the SED approach is applied to common fillet welded joints and to thin-sheet lap welded joints in the third chapter. The forth chapter analyses elastic-plastic deformations in the near crack tip zone and discusses driving force parameters. The last chapter discusses thermomechanical fatigue, stress, and strain ranges.

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Generalised Neuber Concept of Fictitious Notch Rounding.- Extended Stress Intensity Factor Concepts.- Local Strain Energy Density Concept.- Elastic-Plastic Fatigue Crack Growth.

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