TY - JOUR A1 - Zerbst, Uwe A1 - Madia, Mauro A1 - Vormwald, M. T1 - Applying fracture mechanics to fatigue strength determination - some basic considerations N2 - A discussion is provided on demands that must be met in order to apply fracture mechanics to the determination of overall fatigue lifetime and strength, i.e., S-N curves and fatigue limits. These comprise the determination of the cyclic crack driving force for all stages of fatigue crack propagation, in particular for the short crack stage where the crack driving force has to be determined for elastic-plastic deformation and the gradual build-up of the crack closure phenomenon. Special emphasis is put on a fatigue damage relevant specification of the initial crack size. Different approaches in the literature are discussed. Another important aspect is the adequate treatment of multiple crack propagation. Finally, the discussion is illustrated by an example of a butt weld made of a medium strength steel. KW - Multiple cracks KW - Fatigue strength KW - Fracture mechanics KW - Fatigue crack propagation KW - Initial crack size PY - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2019.05.009 SN - 0142-1123 VL - 126 SP - 188 EP - 201 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-48091 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -