A comprehensive software framework has been developed for probabilistic fatigue crack growth (FCG) analysis of safety-critical metallic components. The framework has been implemented in a computer code called DARWIN® (Design Assessment of Reliability With INspection). DARWIN determines the probability of fracture for a component as a function of operating cycles, with and without inspection, by integrating finite element (FE) geometries, stress, and temperature analysis results; fracture mechanics models; material anomaly data; probability of anomaly detection; and uncertain inspection schedules with a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI). The framework can accommodate anomalies occurring anywhere in the volume of the component (such as material voids or inclusions) or anomalies occurring only on the surface of the component (such as manufacturing or maintenance damage).
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