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Dynamic loading
More difficult to measure , analyze and estimate dynamic loading compared to static loading Loads can vary in time and space Load range (or more accurately stress range ) is the most important parameter in fatigue analysis This calls for a definition of a load cycle (or rather stress cycle) There can be large statistical scatter in the loading High frequency content of the loading is difficult to measure and/or analyze. This content may have an effect on the fatigue behaviour Standardized load spectra are often used as input to the fatigue models.

Solid Mechanics

Dynamic Loading

Anders Ekberg

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Varying amplitudes
Residual stresses
Overloads may introduce residual stresses due to plastic deformations. These stresses may supress the initiation of fatigue cracks and/or lead to closure of existing cracks during (parts of) the load cycle This is normally beneficial Add influence from different load cycles This is far from obvious In continuum approaches (initiation), this is done by damage accumulation In crack propagation analysis, it is done by the use of a crack propagation law.
Solid Mechanics

Dynamic Loading

Anders Ekberg

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Load cycles
A load cycle is a closed loop in load space For harmonic loading, the load cycle starts from a certain load magnitude moves through a max-value and a min-value back to the start magnitude (or the other way around) The load cycle is then completely defined by the amplitude and mid value
F t F t

The problem in identifying a load cycle comes when we are not dealing with harmonic loadpaths
Solid Mechanics

Dynamic Loading

Anders Ekberg

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Rainflow counting
t

t
Depict the loading sequence as a function of time. For convenience start with largest maximum or smallest minimum use straight lines between (local) minima and maxima Start from the top and let a drop start from every maximum and minimum. A drop stops if: it starts from max and passes a larger or equal max it starts from min and passes a larger or equal min it reaches the run of another drop Identify closed loops by joining drops
Solid Mechanics

Dynamic Loading

Anders Ekberg

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Rainflow counting example

1 passes an equally large maximum
2 passes a larger minimum 3 passes a larger maximum 4 reaches the run of drop 2

3 5

4 2

5 reaches the run of drop 1 6 falls out 7 falls out 8 reaches the run of drop 6 1 and 6, 2 and 5, 3 and 4; 7 and 8 are running the same distances in the opposite directions. These couples are forming closed loops in load space and can thus be identified as stress cycles with minimum and maximum magnitudes and a mid value. Dynamic Loading
Anders Ekberg

1 t

8 7

Solid Mechanics

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Rainflow counting notes

Rainflow counting is used to identify the most damaging stress cycles When applying the rainflow count method, the chronological order of applied loads diminishes. In other words, you no longer know at what instant of time the overloads and (their pertinent residual stresses) occur More than one load component rainflow counting should be carried out on the stress The rainflow count method is only applicable for uniaxial loading. There are theories for how to extend the method to multiaxial loading (however not generally accepted) The rainflow count method is fairly easy to implement in a computer code. Several such codes exist and are in practical use Dynamic Loading

Solid Mechanics

Anders Ekberg

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A Uniaxial Stress Cycle

Stress ratio min R= max Mid Stress 1 m = ( max + min ) 2 Alternating tension/compression Stress amplitude 1 a = ( max min ) 2
(half the stress range)

Pulsating compression a a R = min m = 2 min a = 2

Solid Mechanics

a a
R = 1 m = 0 a = max
Dynamic Loading

a a
Pulsating tension R=0 max m = 2 max a = 2

time

Anders Ekberg

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The R-ratio
R-ratio 5 4 3 R=min/max 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5-20 -15 -10

max = max + 10

R = min max 1 a = ( max min ) 2 2 a max = 1 R 2 R a max = 1 R

The stress cycle is defined by the stress amplitude and the R -ratio

min

-5

10

Solid Mechanics

Dynamic Loading

Anders Ekberg