Fatigue Crack Paths 2003

is produced in order to change mode II propagation in mode I propagation. Similar

results were obtained for the trailer tip.

z

x

y

α=?

Figure 4. Finite Element Mesh.

40

30

ΔKI

(α=0)

20

10

0

-10

-20

ΔKII

-30

KII

(α=0)

KI

-40

-50

-400 -300 -200 -100

0

100 200 300 400

Distance to crack tip [mm]

Figure 5. Variation of stress intensity factors with different position of the wheel load.