What is fatique failure?

Fatigue failure is a type of structural failure that occurs due to repeated or cyclic loading. It is a gradual process that occurs over time, as the material is weakened by the repeated stresses. Fatigue failure can occur in a variety of materials, including metals, plastics, and composites.

The process of fatigue failure begins with the formation of a small crack in the material. This crack can be caused by a number of factors, such as surface defects, inclusions, or stress concentrations. As the material is repeatedly loaded and unloaded, the crack grows larger. Eventually, the crack reaches a critical size and the material fails.

Fatigue failure is a serious problem because it can occur without any warning. A material that appears to be perfectly sound can suddenly fail if it is subjected to repeated stresses. This can lead to accidents, injuries, and property damage.

There are a number of ways to prevent fatigue failure. One way is to reduce the stress on the material. This can be done by reducing the load, increasing the surface area of the material, or using a material with a higher fatigue strength. Another way to prevent fatigue failure is to eliminate or reduce stress concentrations. This can be done by using fillets and chamfers, avoiding sharp corners, and using smooth transitions between different sections of the material.

Fatigue failure is a complex phenomenon that is still not fully understood. However, by understanding the basics of fatigue failure, engineers can design structures that are resistant to this type of failure.