Fatigue Crack Growth

Fatigue crack growth refers to the process where small cracks in a material gradually enlarge due to repeated stress or load cycles, like bending or vibrating. Over time, these tiny cracks can become large enough to compromise the material’s strength and lead to failure. This phenomenon often occurs in metals and structural components subjected to continuous or cyclic forces, such as bridges, airplanes, or machinery parts. Understanding fatigue crack growth helps engineers predict when a component might fail so they can prevent accidents or plan maintenance, ensuring safety and durability.