The Short Crack Problem

Abstract— The problem associated with short crack growth, defined as situations in which the intensity of the crack tip field is underestimated by linear elastic fracture mechanics analyses, is briefly reviewed. Two cases are identified, cracks growing in plastically strained materials, such as occurs in high strain fatigue studies and at notch roots, and small cracks growing in single grains as occurs close to the fatigue limit in plain specimens. Important mechanical and metallurgical features of short cracks are discussed with particular reference to the upper and lower bound definition of a short crack.