Numerical Modeling of Crack Closure by Plasticity Induced by Cold-Expanded Holes

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effect of cold expansion of a drilled hole in a cracked plate, particularly on the delay in fatigue crack growth. A three-dimensional numerical simulation was conducted to analyze the influence of this technique on the distribution of circumferential residual stresses. The effect of the expanded hole diameter on the magnitude of the induced stresses was also examined. The results show that cold expansion generates beneficial residual stresses, which significantly slow down the propagation of fatigue cracks