Abstract
Abstract Results from laboratory fatigue tests of large-scale welded attachments under random variable-amplitude loading have indicated that the existence of a fatigue limit below which no fatigue cracks develop is assured only if none of the stress cycles exceeds the constant-amplitude fatigue limit. In the extreme life region of fatigue behavior, the contribution of the lower cycles of a stress range spectrum to crack propagation is a function of the larger stress cycles. However, the value of the constant-amplitude fatigue limit is not precisely known and in some cases will differ from the assumed value. As a consequence of the variability in the fatigue limit, the lower bound variable-amplitude fatigue resistance on large-scale welded steel details is defined by the straight-line extension of the S-N design curves below the constant-amplitude fatigue limit. A summary of the test data is given and the effect of the variability on the fatigue behavior of welded steel details in the high-cycle, long-life regime is discussed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
