Betriebsfestigkeit in Germany — an overview

• Published in: International journal of fatigue Vol. 24; no. 6; pp. 603 - 625
• Main Authors: Berger, C, Eulitz, K.-G, Heuler, P, Kotte, K.-L, Naundorf, H, Schuetz, W, Sonsino, C.M, Wimmer, A, Zenner, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2002; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Accuracy of fatigue life prediction; Applied sciences; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Damage accumulation; Exact sciences and technology; Experimental and numerical methods; Fatigue, brittleness, fracture, and cracks; Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter; Mechanical properties of solids; Metals. Metallurgy; Physics; Standardised load–time histories; Structural integrity; Germany; Structural integrity; Experimental and numerical methods; Accuracy of fatigue life prediction; Standardised load–time histories; Damage accumulation; Lifetime; Reviews; Fracture mechanics; Automotive industry; Digital simulation; Standardization; Mechanical properties; Mechanical tests
• ISSN: 0142-1123; 1879-3452
• DOI: 10.1016/S0142-1123(01)00180-3

The German word “Betriebsfestigkeit” can be translated into English with several terms. The best expression seems to be structural durability or structural integrity. This article gives a brief description of the efforts taken especially by the German automotive industry and its cooperating research institutes to improve the accuracy of life time prediction and to optimise the proof-out by usage of experimental and numerical procedures. The advantages of standardised load–time histories (SLHs) for the user particularly in the pre design stage are shown and an overview of the existing SLHs is given. At the end of the article some aspects of practical applications of “Betriebsfestigkeit” in the German automotive industry are presented.