A Constitutive Model for Estimating Multiaxial Notch Strains

True stress and strain components at a notch are the essential parameters for fatigue life predictions. Nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) could be the perfect solution to the notch stress and strain calculation, but its usage may be very limited due to intensive CPU time consumption. Estimation techniques for the multiaxial notch stresses and strains from linear FEA results are important and needed. The existing approach—the Hoffmann and Seeger theory—is limited for monotonic loading cases. It appears difficult to extend its application to nonproportional and variable amplitude loading cases. A generalized method for estimating multiaxial notch stresses and strains on the basis of elastic stress solutions is presented here. This method utilizes a two-surface model with the Mroz hardening equation and the associated flow rule to simulate the local notch stress and strain responses for any geometrical constraints of specimens under monotonic, in-phase and out-of-phase loading. The uniaxial material properties associated with the two-surface model are determined by: the Neuber rule, the Glinka rule and FEA results. Comparisons are made with the notch strains calculated by nonlinear FEA and those obtained from strain gages. Reasonable correlations between the measured and predicted notch strains are observed for SAE 1045 material.