| Abstract: | A method for accelerated fatigue testing of materials, based on a cumulative damage rule, is developed and examined. The method is based on monotonically increasing the stress amplitude with the number of cycles, until failure. When the initial stress amplitude is above the endurance limit, two tests are needed to determine the S/N curve; another test, with an initial stress amplitude below the endurance limit, is needed to determine the fatigue endurance limit. It is shown how to choose the right loading rate and starting level. This method minimizes the number of tests needed for the determination of the fatigue strength endurance limit, and also shortens these tests by reducing the number of cycles, (as each test ends with specimen failure). |
