Analysis of temperature gradients in thin-walled structures under thermomechanical fatigue loading conditions

In recent thermal gradient mechanical fatigue (TGMF) investigations, it is verified that the material fatigue lives are significantly affected by the temperature gradients. Determination of temperature gradients of thin-walled structures is always a difficult task. In the present work, tubular specimens were experimentally and computationally investigated under different conditions. The inverse heat conduction (IHCP) method was improved to predict the inner boundary from external measurements. Two models were finally developed, based on direct IHCP or modified Nusselt number estimation. The models are qualified to acquire temperature gradients in TGMF experiments with reasonable accuracy and versatility.