The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of loading variables on fatigue crack opening behavior, using structural steel SS41. To use various stress ratios, three kinds of the methods varying stress ratio were used; .DELTA.P const., P$_{max}$ const., and P$_{min}$ const.. To measure the opening load, the direct measuring method which measures the distance between two micro indentations 20 .mu.m behind crack tip and the elastic compliance method were used. As the results of present study, the following conclusions are obtained. First, using the direct measuring method, it was possible to measure the COD at any location behind crack tip. Second, as measuring point becomes farther from crack tip, opening load becomes smaller. Third, the acceleration of da/dN near notch is due to crack opening behavior. Finally, opening ratio is a function of not only R, but .DELTA.K.K.K.