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Fatigue Analysis
LUSAS performs fatigue calculations on the results of a linear finite element stress analysis using the total life
approach. The fatigue life may be expressed in terms of the damage that is done to the structure by a prescribed
loading sequence or as the number of repeats of the sequence that will cause failure of the structure. Contour plots
illustrating the fatigue life of every part of the structure can be generated.

Fatigue Calculations Fatigue Results

Fatigue calculations of the life of a structure or Results from the fatigue calculations may be viewed using any
component are defined and calculated using the of the standard LUSAS results processing methods. Fatigue
following data: results come from any chosen component of stress, as specified
in the Fatigue loadcase.
S-N Curves
The S-N curve is used to Results may be visualised in two ways:
calculate the number of
cycles to failure for each Loglife This is the log10 of the life expectancy of the
loadcase. Miners rule is structure subject to the level of loading measured in the number
used to combine the of cycles to failure.
damage for each loadcase
to give the total damage to
the structure for the
specified loading sequence.
Log values are used because of the large variation in
magnitude of the input data. The curve is considered
linear in the log-log domain.

Damage The amount of damage that a material sustains

under fatigue loading. A value of unity represents failure.

Fatigue Spectra
A loading spectrum defining
the loading sequence in
terms of a series of
loadcases, each of which
has an associated load
factor and number of
cycles.
Fatigue loadcases
LUSAS
Fatigue results are Forge House,
configured using a Fatigue 66 High Street,
loadcase, which allows Kingston upon Thames,
previously defined S-N Surrey, KT1 1HN, UK.
Ref PS17 - Issue 1

curves and fatigue spectra Tel: +44 (0)20 8541 1999

to be combined. The results Fax: +44 (0)20 8549 9399
entity specified is used to Email: info@lusas.com
calculate the fatigue life. http://www.lusas.com