Analytical prediction of crack propagation under thermal cyclic loading inducing a thermal gradient in the specimen thickness – Comparison with experiments and numerical approach

This paper studies the evolution of a surface crack in a stainless steel specimen exposed to thermal cyclic loading inducing a thermal gradient in the thickness. The crack shape and kinetics of propagation are modeled by analytical approach based on stress intensity factor, weight function method and Paris law. Analytical results are compared with both finite element method and experimental results issued from a repeated thermal shock facility, and show a good agreement. The quantification of crack shape evolution and kinetics of propagation allows understanding the influence of thermal gradient and governing mechanisms.