A Comparative Review of Fatigue Modeling Approaches in Metals: From Total-Life Methods to Fracture-Based Models
- 1Civil and Environmental Engineering Department (DECA), ETSECCPB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Campus Norte UPC, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
- 2Centre Internacional de Mètodes Numèrics en Enginyeria (CIMNE), Campus Norte UPC, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Abstract
Fatigue is widely recognized as one of the primary failure mechanisms affecting metallic structures. Consequently, reliable prediction of fatigue-induced failure is essential for the safe design and lifetime prediction of engineering structures and components. In this context, the present work provides an overview of some of the main approaches employed for fatigue modeling in metals. First, the classical total-life methods, namely the stress–life and strain–life approaches, are reviewed. Subsequently, fracture-based approaches to fatigue are presented, including formulations grounded in fracture mechanics, continuum damage mechanics, and phase-field theory. The finite element method and the extended finite element method are also discussed as representative numerical frameworks for the implementation of these formulations. The reviewed approaches are then critically compared in terms of their applicability, capabilities, limitations and calibration requirements. Finally, relevant directions for future research are identified.
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BibTeX
@article{junior2026comparative,
title = {{A Comparative Review of Fatigue Modeling Approaches in Metals: From Total-Life Methods to Fracture-Based Models}},
author = {L. A. Gonçalves Junior and L. G. Barbu and S. Jiménez and A. Cornejo and S. Oller},
journal = {Mathematics},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/math14193566},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/14/19/3566},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A Comparative Review of Fatigue Modeling Approaches in Metals: From Total-Life Methods to Fracture-Based Models
AU - L. A. Gonçalves Junior
AU - L. G. Barbu
AU - S. Jiménez
AU - A. Cornejo
AU - S. Oller
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Mathematics
DO - 10.3390/math14193566
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/14/19/3566
AB - Fatigue is widely recognized as one of the primary failure mechanisms affecting metallic structures. Consequently, reliable prediction of fatigue-induced failure is essential for the safe design and lifetime prediction of engineering structures and components. In this context, the present work provides an overview of some of the main approaches employed for fatigue modeling in metals. First, the classical total-life methods, namely the stress–life and strain–life approaches, are reviewed. Subsequently, fracture-based approaches to fatigue are presented, including formulations grounded in fracture mechanics, continuum damage mechanics, and phase-field theory. The finite element method and the extended finite element method are also discussed as representative numerical frameworks for the implementation of these formulations. The reviewed approaches are then critically compared in terms of their applicability, capabilities, limitations and calibration requirements. Finally, relevant directions for future research are identified.
SN - 2227-7390
ER -