Profatigue: a software program for probabilistic assessment of experimental fatigue data sets

Abstract

In this work, the software program ProFatigue is presented as a practical tool for derivation of probabilistic S-N and E-N fields from experimental fatigue data. The program provides an estimation of the parameters involved in the regression probabilistic Weibull fatigue model developed by the authors, allowing an advantageous application of both fields to the stress or strain based approaches in the fatigue design of structures and mechanical components. An extension to the analysis of more complex and varied lifetime problems as thermomechanical, multiaxial and fretting fatigue is possible by adopting suitable damage parameters proposed in the literature as driving force. Application to probabilistic assessment of cumulative damage and further program enhancement are now envisaged.The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support of this work by the MICINN (Ministry of Science and Innovation) under project BIA2010-19920