Development of Atomistically-Informed Peridynamics Framework for Corrosion Fatigue Damage Prediction

Corrosive environments together with cyclic loading can lead to the formation of localized corrosion pits and corrosion fatigue cracks, which can significantly deteriorate the structural integrity of aircraft components. The exact nature of corrosion fatigue damage is dependent on the competing multi-scale processes resulting from complex interactions between the structural material, its environment, local microstructure and mechanical variables. In order to assess the durability and integrity of aircraft components (especially of aging fleet) there is a need to develop new theoretical models which can predict corrosion fatigue damage by accounting the interactions between the multi-scale phenomena. In this work, ACT together with Florida State University proposes to develop a Peridynamics framework which could accurately predict the corrosion fatigue processes across different length scales. The modeling approach is based on novel coupling methodologies between atomistic process, microstructural changes and Peridynamics theory. The resulting computational framework will enable prediction of corrosion fatigue life in naval aircraft components exposed to different corrosive environments during their service life.