Abstract
In this study, the growth rate of surface cracks (da/dN) during the retardation period was analyzed in terms of effective stress intensity factor range(${\Delta}K_{eff}^*$) obtained by using the proposed effective plastic zone concept. Effective stress intensity factors obtained by using the effective plastic zone concept were smaller than those obtained by using Willenborg analysis. On the growth rate of surface cracks analyzed by ${\Delta}K$, the dependence of overload stress levels appears. On the growth rate by ${\Delta}K_{eff}$ obtained by Willenborg analysis, there is a linear relationship with two different slops between da/dN and ${\Delta}K_{eff}$. However, on the growth rate by ${\Delta}K_{eff}^*$ obtained by the proposed effective plastic zone concept, there is a linear relationship between da/dN and ${\Delta}K_{eff}^*$ that coincides with the results of constant amplitude loading.