Fatigue Life Under Random Loading for Several Power Spectral Shapes

Download or read book Fatigue Life Under Random Loading for Several Power Spectral Shapes written by Sherman A. Clevenson and published by . This book was released on 1967 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Each of a number of aluminum-alloy test specimens was loaded by random forces at a constant root-mean-square stress level until rupture occurred. The forces were statistically stationary and Gaussian with a zero mean value. The fatigue life (to rupture) was determined for various values of the following statistical parameters: (a) root-mean-square nominal applied stress, (b) power spectral shape, (c) mean number of zero crossings per unit time, and (d) mean number of peak loads per unit time. The power spectra were varied over a passband of frequency for three spectral shapes either by holding the power constant with frequency or by varying it either directly or inversely proportional to the square of the frequency. The results indicate that the fatigue life was determined principally by the root-mean-square nominal applied stress level. The effects of spectral shape, average number of zero crossings, and average number of peak loads were insignificant in the ranges investigated. The fatigue life, based on the number of effective cycles, of the specimens under random loading was lower by at least an order of magnitude at all stress levels than that of the specimens loaded sinusoidally. A linear cumulative damage theory overestimated the fatigue life, especially at low stress levels. The fracture characteristics of the specimens which failed under random loading were similar to those which failed under sinusoidal loads.