Abstract
This paper deals with a fatigue life prediction of a surface crack based on the experimentally obtained relationship between surface crack length ratio $a/a_{f}$ and cycle ratio $N/N_{f}$ using micro computer. Firstly $a/a_{f}$-$N/N_{f}$ curves obtained from experimental tests, were assumed as three curves UC(the upper limit curve), LC(the lower limit curve) and MC(the middle curve), and these were utilized to predict the fatigue life. Comparing the calculated values which represent the characteristics of crack growth behaviors from the three assumed curves with the experimental ones, it has been found that in the stable crack growth region, they coincide reasonably well each other. And the differences between the fatigue lives obtained from the assumed curves and the experimental fatigue life did not exceed 20%. Using the characteristics of $a/a_{f}$-$N/N_{f}$ curves, it is possible to predict the da/dN-Kmax curves and the S-$N_{f}$ curves.