FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

with MSC Patran 2010 and MSC Fatigue

This slideshow is intended to ensure the quality and comparability of the
calculation results and includes the general assumptions and conventions for
finite element analysis and fatigue analysis fields. Justified deviations must be
explicitly agreed and documented.
The software tool used for fatigue analysis is MSC Fatigue through MSC PATRAN
2010 interface. This slideshow is focused on the application using these
software tools.
Inputs:

Stress/strain results from finite element analysis,

service loading data,

cyclic material properties.
In finite element base fatigue analysis, the stress or strain results are obtained
from FE analysis on certain design. The results, together with loading and
material data are then used to calculate the fatigue damages and fatigue
lives. The fatigue analysis results can then be fed back to improve the design
and start a new design cycle.

TLM CAE Dr. Onur KIRLI

22 September 2011

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

with MSC Patran 2010 and MSC Fatigue
FIN stands for Fatigue INformation file

.op2 and .xdb / .t16 / .fil and .odb / .rst / .D3plot

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22 September 2011

FES stands for Finite Element Stress results

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

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Create an outer skin shell group

TLM CAE Dr. Onur KIRLI

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

with MSC Patran 2010 and MSC Fatigue

This skin shell group will be region at material inputs

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

with MSC Patran 2010 and MSC Fatigue

Initiation is used at comparisons.

The analysis type offered depends on the FE results available.

For linear static analysis, the options include Strain life E N
(initiation) and Stress life S N, along with various multiaxial methods.
Random Vibration Fatigue is available if PSD results are used, and
Seam weld and Spot weld options are also available.
For general analysis performing an EN approach analysis first and
then decide whether a multiaxial approach is required following an
inspection of the biaxiality plots.
SN is not preferred for most FE analysis because it is invalid in
regions of elastic plastic stress such as those adjacent to notches
and holes.
TLM CAE Dr. Onur KIRLI

22 September 2011

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

with MSC Patran 2010 and MSC Fatigue
There is a choice of Element or Nodal results. Element result
option was recommended for shell elements as this yields the
most accurate stresses.
For linear analyses, (or non linear where material hardening is
not considered), theres no difference between taking stress
or strain. However, if you wish to include non linear material
behaviour in the FE analysis, you should use the Strain results
here, and select E P Input (elastic plastic).

Node option is used at comparisons.

TLM CAE Dr. Onur KIRLI

22 September 2011

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

with MSC Patran 2010 and MSC Fatigue
Fatigue is influenced by the residual stress field in the
component and the mean stress of the cyclic hysteresis
loop. Several methods are available to account for this,
the default is S W T as the most popular method.
Elastic plastic correction can be over ridden if a non
linear analysis of material hardening is carried out in
the FE analysis.
Standard EN material properties are applicable only for
uniaxial stress states. Where stresses are proportional
biaxial (e.g. plane strain, torsion, etc.) a correction is
required. Software recommend using the Hoffmann
Seeger method for all analyses. If the stress state is
non proportional, we must use a more complex fatigue
analysis.

S-W-T, Neuber, Material Parameter is

used at comparisons.
TLM CAE Dr. Onur KIRLI

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

with MSC Patran 2010 and MSC Fatigue
The FE results file contains 6 component stresses or
strains for each element. These pertain to the three
axial and three shear components. Principal stresses or
stress invariants (like Von Mises) can be obtained from
the components. This selection allows the user to pick
which stress property to use for the fatigue analysis. In
general, the Abs. Max Principal stress should be used
as this yields the best fatigue results.

Critical Plane is used at comparisons.

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

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2
3
Selecting Load Case

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

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1
4

Loading can be in the form of constant

amplitude or variable amplitude.
Constant amplitude loads are entered
directly using Wave creation. Variable
loads are represented by a time signal
file in either nCode DAC or MTS
RPCIII format. (ASCII files can be
translated if required).

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Selecting Time History

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

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BEGINN
30000
KANALNAME = ['F']
0
EINHEIT = ['N']
30000
ENDE
30000 Convert Time History File or Header lines to skip = 4
0
30000
1

=>

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

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1
2
Multiple Event Input from
Duty Cycle

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

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FAT_DC_WAIT = Yes for Multiple Event Solution

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1
3
2

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

with MSC Patran 2010 and MSC Fatigue

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

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Marked inputs are enough for E-N Analysis

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

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Region is the group created at slide 4, Layer is

the side of the shell which have highest stress.
3

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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

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2
3

TLM CAE Dr. Onur KIRLI

By calculating normals in MSC.Fatigue, the results are expressed as surface

resolved stresses, meaning the two major principal stresses lie in the plane of the
surface with the third principal stress being zero (normal to the surface). This is
important for models with solid elements especially given that 99% of cracks
initiate on the surface. The main reason that we need surface resolved stresses is
for the biaxiality analysis to properly calculate the biaxiality ratio which will be
discussed later in this example. Without surface resolved stresses it would be
difficult, if not impossible, to assess the multiaxial stress state of the component.

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6
3
7

1
4
Solution and Result Plot
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FE-Based Fatigue Analysis Procedure

with MSC Patran 2010 and MSC Fatigue

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