Peridynamic modeling of fatigue in layered metal compositesJerenec, Filip (Avtor) Gubeljak, Nenad (Mentor) Madenci, Erdogan (Komentor) PeridynamicsFatigue Crack GrowthKinetic Theory of FractureLayered Metal CompositeAdditive ManufacturingIn additive manufacturing, tooling is frequently built from laminated metal composites (LMCs) that stack dissimilar metals to shorten production times. Accurately predicting fatigue-crack growth in these unequal-strength laminates is difficult—particularly across joints where property mismatches steer crack paths. This work combines experiments and simulations to study fatigue-crack growth in an LMC formed by laser-melting AISI 316L powder onto high-strength structural steel S960. Crack growth was modeled with a linearized bond-based peridynamics (PD) formulation, with interfacial bonds tuned to the measured elastic-modulus gradient, and coupled to the Kinetic Theory of Fracture (KTF). Unlike conventional S–N–based approaches, KTF parameters were calibrated directly from measured crack-length–versus-cycles (a-N) data. Material behavior in the base metals and through the transition zone was characterized via tensile tests, hardness mapping, and nanoindentation; fatigue-crack growth data came from cyclic tests on compact-tension (CT) specimens. The model reproduced the observed differences in crack-growth rates between homogeneous and bimaterial specimens, and KTF parameter transferability across loads and geometries was confirmed for homogeneous samples. A key outcome is a practical calibration workflow for KTF within a nonlocal PD framework, enabling predictive simulation of fatigue-crack growth across multilayer metallic joints.[F. Jerenec]20252025-09-05 13:29:11Doktorsko delo/naloga95138sl