Fatigue verification is a crucial engineering process that aims to prove the fatigue strength of components and structures under realistic operational loads. This verification is essential to ensure that a component or structure will function reliably and safely over its intended service life without fatigue failure.
Fatigue strength refers to the ability of a material or structure to withstand repeated or cyclic loads as they occur in actual operation. In contrast to static loads, which act once or constantly, operational loads are often dynamic and variable. Such loads can be caused by various factors, including mechanical forces, vibrations, temperature changes and other environmental influences.
The fatigue strength verification process comprises several steps. First, the operational loads are analysed and characterized. This can be done through measurements in the field, simulations or the use of load assumptions. These loads are then summarized in a load spectrum that describes the typical load cycles and amplitudes during the service life of the component.
Another important step is material characterization, in which the fatigue properties of the material used are determined by means of tests. These tests often include Wöhler tests, in which samples of the material are subjected to cyclic loads in order to determine the fatigue strength and fatigue limit.
The data obtained is then used to carry out a service life analysis in which the cumulative damage to the component over its planned service life is calculated. For this purpose, damage accumulation hypotheses such as the Miner rule are often used to evaluate the total load and the resulting damage.
To summarize, durability verification is a comprehensive and complex process that ensures that components and structures can withstand realistic operational loads and function safely and reliably over their planned service life. By applying modern methods of analysis and material testing, engineers can develop robust and durable designs.