SEDL / STP / STP801-EB / STP44806S

Anomalous Fatigue Crack Growth Retardation in Steels for Offshore Applications

Van Der Velden, R
Delft University of Technology, Delft,

Ewalds, HL
Delft University of Technology, Delft,

Schultze, WA
Delft University of Technology, Delft,

Punter, A
Matcon B. V., Emmen,

Pages: 17    Published: Jan 1983

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Abstract

Cracks in structural steel were retarded or even stopped when fatigued in aerated seawater environments at 10 Hz. Backface strain measurements proved that the cause was corrosion product wedging, which enhances the effect of crack closure. The wedge thickness depended on the oxygen supply inside the crack. This is enhanced by acration and solution pumping, which was more effective at higher frequencies.