Variable Amplitude Fatigue Crack Growth Using Digital Signal Processing Technology

摘要

An automated variable amplitude fatigue crack growth system has been developed using digital signal processing (DSP) technology to provide waveform generation, command-feedback verification, and crack growth monitoring. The system is designed to interface with existing analog or digital closed-loop servo-hydraulic mechanical test systems. An important parameter in the control of variable amplitude testing is the effect of loading errors on the fatigue crack growth rate response. A damage parameter (Γ) has been incorporated to quantify the magnitude and effect of loading errors. In this paper, a FALSTAFF, Mini-TWIST, and truncated Mini-TWIST aircraft spectrum were applied to an M(T) crack growth sample to demonstrate the correlation between the damage parameter and fatigue life.