MTS Fracture Template - Manual (Page 26)

Set Up the Test
Fatigue Crack Growth (FCG) Templates Overview
There are two versions of Fatigue Crack Growth templates. Both templates comply with ASTM standard
E647-08.
• ASTM E 647 Fatigue Crack Growth Compliance
• ASTM E 647 Fatigue Crack Growth DCPD
The primary difference between the two templates is how the crack size is measured. The compliance
template uses a Crack Opening Displacement (COD) clip gage to measure the crack opening. The DC
Potential Drop (DCPD) template uses electrical leads that carry voltage, and the change in voltage relates
to a change in crack size.
Control modes
The template guides you through the steps of running a test and provides all the software components
you need to run a fatigue crack growth test in one of two control modes:
• Constant Load—The test cycles between a specified minimum and maximum load.
• Delta K—The test cycles between the minimum and maximum loads that correspond to the desired
minimum and maximum stress intensities (K).
Features
The main features of the FCG template are listed below:
• The main template window guides you through setting up all test parameters, performing crack size
checks, precracking the specimen, and running the test.
• As the test runs, you can stop the test to change test parameters.
• Comprehensive monitor views help you monitor test progress.
• Tabular and graphical displays make it easy to review test results.
• Analysis definitions provide all necessary analysis calculations and views to analyze test runs.
• Report templates help you generate reports for analysis runs.
Set Up a Test
To create and run a new test:
1. Create a new test from a template.
a) Click File > New > Test from Template.
b) In the Create from Existing Test window, select a test.
c) Click OK.
26 | MTS TestSuite
Fatigue Crack Growth (FCG) Template