Fatigue Reliability of Space Structures

by Richard J. Nielsen, Univ of Idaho, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space

Abstract:

This paper develops a methodology for calculating the probability distribution for rainflow cycles in a nonstationary Gaussian process. The up and downcrossing rates are estimated for the process. The level-crossing statistics are then used to determine the waiting time for range-pair exceedances. The waiting time distribution for the rainflow cycles is then derived from the range-pair distribution. Finally, the probability distribution for the rainflow cycles is calculated from the waiting time distribution. The rainflow cycle distribution is combined with a linear fatigue damage law to predict fatigue damage in structures subjected to nonstationary loads. The rainflow cycle distribution presented in this paper is best suited for fatigue life prediction for transient vibratory loads which are of interest in space structures.

Subject Headings: Structural reliability | Rain loads | Probability distribution | Gaussian process | Transient loads | Space structures | Probability

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search