Fatigue of Metals as Stochastic Phenomena

Abstract

A stochastic model for the fatigue of metals under repeated stress or strain is proposed. Fatigue lives up to crack initiation are investigated with the aid of a recent theory on a cumulative process and the mean values are plotted versus stress amplitudes. Of interest is the fact that this curve behaves as if the endurance limit existed when the parameters are adequately taken. Except the neighborhood of the endurance limit, the coefficients of variation are also calculated approximately.