Effect of spectral shape on acoustic fatigue life estimates

• Published in: Journal of sound and vibration Vol. 153; no. 2; pp. 376 - 386
• Main Author: Miles, R.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Legacy CDMS Elsevier Ltd 08.03.1992; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acoustics; Exact sciences and technology; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Physics; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Durability; Fatigue; Acoustic wave; Spectral analysis; Rupture
• ISSN: 0022-460X; 1095-8568
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-460X(05)80015-X

Methods for estimating fatigue life due to random loading are briefly reviewed. These methods include a probabilistic approach in which the expected value of the rate of damage accumulation is computed by integrating over the probability density of damaging events and a method which consists of analyzing the response time history to count damaging events. It is noted that it is necessary to employ a time domain approach to perform Rainflow counting, while simple peak counting may be accomplished using the probabilistic method. Data obtained indicate that Rainflow counting produces significantly different fatigue life predictions than other methods that are commonly used in acoustic fatigue predictions. When low-frequency oscillations are present in a signal along with high-frequency components, peak counting will produce substantially shorter fatigue lives than Rainflow counting. It is concluded that Rainflow counting is capable of providing reliable fatigue life predictions for acoustic fatigue studies.