Abstract
Constant ${\Delta}K$ fatigue crack growth tests were performed applying an intermediate multiple overload for SM45C steel. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of specimen thickness at various baseline stress intensity levels$({\Delta}K_b)$, overload application frequency(a/W) and overload application frequency$(OL_{HZ})$ on fatigue crack growth retardation behavior. The principal results are summarized as follows. The amount of retardation for a given ${\Delta}K_b$ level is increased with increasing the baseline stress intensity level in all specimen thickness. The normalized minimum crack growth rate is increased with increasing the specimen thickness, except for ${\Delta}K=45MPa \sqrt m$. The retardation cycle is decreased with increasing the overload application position and increased with the overload application frequency.
