Cyclic Elastoplastic Analysis of Structures Concerning a Fatigue Assessment According to the Local Strain Approach: An Overview

Abstract

This Technical Brief presents an overview about the current methodologies for elastoplastic calculation of structures undergoing cyclic loading, aiming a fatigue assessment according to the local strain approaches. The possibilities and limitations of the plasticity models available in most popular commercial finite element codes are discussed. Also, several methodologies for structural elastoplastic analysis, concerning the derivation of the stabilized material response, are also addressed highlighting their potentialities and drawbacks. The discussion proposed in this Technical Brief is intended as guidance for design engineers needing to ponder all calculation alternatives for assessing fatigue damage parameters before a rational decision is carried out, in the framework of local approaches to fatigue.