Classical Fatigue Design Techniques as a Failure Analysis Tool

Abstract

The classical method for designing against high-cycle fatigue fracture is based primarily on statistical models derived from laboratory experimental data. This paper considers a number of actual fatigue failures where the analyses of the failures, in part, made use of classical high-cycle fatigue resistance design methodology as an analytical tool. This paper uses failure analyses to demonstrate that the long-taught classical methodology is useful and accurate as both a design and an analysis tool. The usefulness and accuracy of the method is verified in that it is shown to have predicted actual failures, given known materials, manufacturing histories, and service operating conditions. Example analyses include: a fatigue-cracked roll from a paper-making machine, a fractured anvil on a steam powered forge, and a fractured shaft on a helical ribbon dryer.