2

Fatigue Analysis of Combined

Stress Systems
2.1 Introduction

In chapter 1 the factors affecting fatigue behaviour were discussed, and whilst many
of the comments made were quite general in their applicability, the fatigue analysis
of combined stress systems was not considered. In particular, the combination of
mean and alternating stresses was dealt with only for one-dimensional stress
systems, and the usual equations from elementary applied mechanics enable such
stresses to be calculated. With the aid of a modified fatigue curve for the
component of interest, fatigue integrity can readily be assessed.
Under the action of combined dynamic stresses, the situation is somewhat more
complicated, and it is necessary to establish methods of analysis for assessing the
fatigue integrity of components when combined stresses are involved. From a
fundamental standpoint, there is no reason to suppose that the same theories which
govern static failure are applicable under dynamic loading. Nevertheless, it would
seem appropriate to attempt an extension of the usual classical theories to include
fatigue, and this is the basis for the methods proposed in this chapter. In the main,
the discussions will be concerned with the HCF region, including some
fatigue-creep interaction considerations, and the analysis for the LCF region will
be undertaken in a subsequent chapter.

2.2 General Case of Three-Dimensional Stresses

Consider the element shown in figure 2.1, subjected to direct stresses ax, ay and a2 ,
and shear stress T xy• T xz and Tyz· Before proceeding with the analysis for such a
system it is desirable to establish and clarify the notation. Consider some point 0 in
a material, and through this point define rectangular co-ordinates in the x, y and z
directions, as indicated in figure 2.2.
Now consider an elemental area oA in the x-y plane. In general, there will be a
resultant force oP acting across the element, which can be resolved into
components oPx, oPy and oP2 acting in the x,y and z directions respectively. If the
elemental area is sufficiently small, the force oP may be regarded as uniformly
distributed. Thus, in the limit
oPx
oA = Tzx; ?!J.- .
oA - Tzy•
T. V. Duggan et al., Fatigue as a Design Criterion
© Terance V. Duggan and James Byrne 1977 26
 FATIGUE ANALYSIS OF COMBINED STRESS SYSTEMS 27

Figure 2.1 Element under simplified three·dimensional stress

where the symbols 7 and a have been used to represent shear stresses (i.e. stresses
parallel to the plane) and normal stresses (i.e. stresses perpendicular to the plane) in
the usual way. The double suffix for shear stress is used to indicate the direction of
the shear stress and the plane on which it acts. Thus, 7 zx indicates a shear stress on
the plane perpendicular to the z axis (i.e. the x-y plane) and acting in the x
direction, whilst 7 zy indicates a shear stress on the plane perpendicular to the z
axis, but acting in they direction. The suffix used for the normal stress component

cp
y

8P
X

Figure 2.2 Co·ordinate system for three·dimensional stress

simply indicates the direction of the stress. Similarly, then, ax and ay define
normal stresses in the x andy directions respectively; 7 x y and 7 y z define shear
stresses in the plane perpendicular to the x axis (i.e. the y-z plane) in the directions
y and z respectively; and 7 yz and 7 zy define shear stresses in the plane
perpendicular to they axis (i.e. the x-z plane) in the directions x and z respectively.
The above discussion should make quite clear the notation indicated in figure 2.1.