Continuum Damage Mechanics and the Life-Fraction Rule

This paper gives a short review of two different methods for life prediction at high temperature; namely continuum damage mechanics (CDM) and the linear life-fraction rule (LFR). It is well known that the class of CDM theories with a separable evolution law gives a life prediction in accordance with the LFR. However, it appears to be an open question if this is a necessary condition. It is here shown that in order for a CDM theory to comply with the LFR it must have a separable evolution law. That is, if we can assume that a material follows the LFR, it is necessary to chose a separable evolution law for this material. The reverse is also true, to get a life-fraction different from unity, we must chose a nonseparable evolution law.