Fatigue Life Assessment of a Shell Structure from Different Steel Types: A Case Study Using Variable Amplitude Loadings

摘要

Based on fatigue failure theories (stress-life theories such as; Goodman and Gerber), this paper presents a technique to predict the fatigue life of a shell structure of different materials with application of measured variable amplitude loading. The finite element analysis technique was being used for the modelling and simulation. Numerical life prediction results of the shell materials, low and medium carbon steel (ASTM A533, AISI 1020, AISI 4340) are presented and discussed. There are many factors affecting the life predicted, a surface condition effect was shown here. Reasonable difference appears through the comparison of the above materials.