A fast, versatile fatigue post-processor and criteria evaluation

This paper is concerned with the development and use of a general High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) post-processor, FAST, Fatigue AnalysiS Tool. It is used to evaluate and develop HCF criteria. FAST can handle many kinds of criteria and evaluate them with fatigue test results from both standard test specimens and actual components. When a reliable criterion exists, FAST will be used for design purposes. The principles of FAST are outlined and an example is given where seven local multiaxial stress based criteria are evaluated, along with the commercial fatigue post-processor Femfat. The conclusion is that a correct treatment of the volume or stress gradient effect is more important than the choice of criterion.