Metal Fatigue Failure Estimation

Louisiana State University
posted on 09/14/2010

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Mechanical equipment and machinery components undergoing repeated loading experience fatigue and subsequent cracking. This phenomenon can lead to a catastrophic failure without warning, costing the owner time and money. Although routine maintenance and inspections can prevent some breakdowns, a system for determining the useful life of mechanical parts could further reduce or even eliminate the occurrence of mechanical breakdown due to fatigue failure. Using surface temperature information obtained via non-contacting sensors, this novel system predicts the remaining service life of metallic structures subjected to cyclic loading. This system provides an early and accurate prediction of service life without affecting the operation of the equipment. Unlike other fatigue estimation technologies which use many cycles to calculate the remaining life, this technology uses only a few – thereby preserving the useful life of the equipment. It may be installed on operating equipment and provide service life predictions in real-world use.

Any metal structure or machinery component which is subjected to cyclic loading including, axial tension/compression loading, repeated bending or torsion.

Quickly and accurately estimates the number of cycles until failure and provides the ability to predict the time of failure, allowing machinery to be shut down before a catastrophic break down occurs.