On the criterion of damage evolution for variable multiaxial stress state

The damage accumulation condition expressed in terms of traction components on a physical plane is discussed for both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The crack initiation is assumed to correspond to a critical value of damage reached on the physical plane. For singular stress distribution in the front of sharp notch or crack the non-local condition is formulated. The proposed condition is applied to predict damage distribution within the representative element for cyclic loading conditions. The rosette diagrams are constructed for visualization of damage distribution. The prediction of crack initiation for multiaxial fatigue loading is provided. The second- and fourth-order damage tensors in order to describe damage distribution within the element, and the associated compliance variation are introduced. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.