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868 Appendix F ■ MIL-HDBK-5J, Department of Defense Handbook

80

L - tension
Tangent modulus curve Stress-strain curves

60
L - compression
Stress, ksi

40
L - compression

Ramberg - Osgood
n(L-tension) = 50
n(L-comp.) = 15

20

Thickness " 0.249 in.

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Strain, 0.001 in./in.
Compressive tangent modulus, 103 ksi

FIGURE F.7
Typical stress-strain curves and tangent modulus curves for 2024-T3 alloy sheet in the L direction at
room temperature. Adapted from MIL-HDBK-5J, Figure [Link].6(a).

where I is the moment of inertia, A is the cross-sectional area, and Le is the effective
length of the column. If the critical stress is below the proportional limit, Ec and Et
are identical and lead to the same result. However, when the critical stress is above
the proportional limit, it is best to use the tangent modulus for design; it is both con-
servative (since Et < Ec) and better reflects the local stiffness of the column at the
stress level being considered. For further discussion of this topic see MIL-HDBK-5J,
Section 1.6 (“Columns”).

F.4.4 Fatigue S–N data and equivalent stress model

An example of fatigue data (indicated symbols) and the associated equivalent stress
model fits (solid lines) is shown in Figure F.8 for rolled bar 2024-T4 alloy specimens
tested axially in the unnotched condition (Kt = 1.0). Runout data points are those that
did not fail within a certain number of cycles; these are indicated with symbols at the
associated cycle count with arrows pointing to the right.
Details of the tests used to obtain the data in Figure F.8 are shown in Table F.4
along with the parameters describing the equivalent stress model. As discussed pre-
viously, the equivalent stress model can be used to predict the number of cycles to
failure at a specified maximum fatigue stress level (Smax) and stress ratio (R). The
model can also be used to predict the maximum stress associated with a certain num-
ber of cycles to failure (see Equation F.6). Caution should be used if the model is
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Appendix F ■ MIL-HDBK-5J, Department of Defense Handbook 869

90
Alum, 2024–T4 KT–1.0
Note: Stresses are based
Stress ratio
on net section
–1.00 0.06
80
–0.50 0.43
–0.41 0.50
0.00 Runout
70

60
Maximum stress, ksi

50

0.50
40 0.43
0.06
R 0.00
–0.41
–0.50
30
–1.00

20

10
103 104 105 106 107 108
Fatigue life, cycles

FIGURE F.8
S–N curves for unnotched 2024-T4 aluminum alloy (longitudinal direction) with equivalent stress
model parameters shown. Adapted from MIL-HDBK-5J, Figure [Link].8(a).

extended beyond the data set used to create it. For example, using Figure F.8 to
determine the maximum stress for an R ratio of 0.50 at 103 cycles would clearly be
invalid, as the prediction would be well above 75 ksi (the highest stress test speci-
men in the data set).
In addition to S–N curves, fatigue crack growth data is also presented for certain
alloys and represents the crack length (a) versus the number of fatigue cycles applied
(N). This experimentally obtained information can be used to assess the Paris equa-
tion for the material. For example, data for 2124-T851 aluminum plate can be found
at MIL-HDBK-5J, Figures [Link].9(a)–(e).

F.5 Fracture Toughness and Other Miscellaneous Properties

A limited set of plane strain fracture toughness (KIc) values are presented in MIL-
HDBK-5J. Configurations are presented for steel, aluminum, and titanium alloys, rep-
resenting different alloys, heat treatments, and crack orientations. These values are
labeled “for information only,” as they lack the statistical reliability of the mechani-
cal design properties previously presented (i.e., “A,” “B,” “S” basis). A subset of these