Fatigue Strength Under Spectrum Loading

In-service loading often is characterized by random variable amplitudes which cannot be represented by sinusoidal type of loading sufficiently. Rare events may introduce microplastic straining and are followed by a huge number of cycles with moderate to medium stresses. In such a way, in-service loading creates its unique history and may lead to an early termination of serviceability. Chapter 4 looks into fundamental contexts of variable amplitude loading and how to deal with stress analysis. Finite element analysis is introduced, because as an engineer nowadays it does not bear thinking about being without. Hence, a major part is devoted to the fatigue analysis of welded joints which is an excellent playing field to look at nominal stress, structural stress and local stress concepts.