Computational modeling of multiaxial elasto-plastic stress-strain response for notched components under non-proportional loading

In this paper, a computational modeling technique of the multiaxial stress-strain notch analysis has been developed to compute elasto-plastic notch tip stress-strain responses using linear elastic FE results of notched components. Application and validation of the multiaxial stress-strain notch analysis model were presented by comparing computed results of the model to the experimental data of SAE 1070 steel notched shaft subjected to several non-proportional load paths. Based on the comparison between the experimental and computed strain histories, the elasto-plastic stress-strain model estimated notch strains with reasonable accuracy using linear-elastic FE stress histories. The elasto-plastic stress-strain notch analysis model provides more efficient and simple analysis method preferable to expensive experimental component tests and more complex and time consuming incremental non-linear FE analysis. The elasto-plastic stress-strain model can thus be employed to perform fatigue life and fatigue damage estimates associated with the local material deformation.