Stochastic approach to fatigue: experiments, modelling and reliability estimation (Q685982)

[The articles of this volume will not be indexed individually.] Lecture notes of a course at the International Centre for Mechanical Sciences are collected in the volume. Its 7 chapters cover main aspects of stochastic theory of fatigue: ``Stochastic modelling of fatigue. Methodical background ``by \textit{K. Sobczyk}; ``Characterization of random fatigue loads'' by \textit{I. Rychlik}; ``Physical and micromechanical aspects of stochastic fatigue crack growth'' by \textit{B. Michel}, \textit{T. Winkler} and \textit{L. Skurt}; ``Random initial defects and fatigue life prediction'' by \textit{V. V. Bolotin}; ``Stochastic cumulative models for fatigue'' by \textit{K. Sobczyk}; ``Stochastic diffusion models for fatigue crack growth and reliability estimation'' by \textit{B. F. Spencer}; ``Fatigue reliability for marine structures'' by \textit{H. O. Madsen}. Mathematical structure of models, probability distributions relevant to fatigue, and principles of stochastic processes are given in the first, second, and third part of the introductory paper, respectively. Cycle count problems for Gaussian processes, Markov processes and total damage notions are explained in the \textit{I. Rychlik}'s lecture notes. The authors of the third chapter apply thermodynamics and statistical physics to a ``mesoscopic'' level of modelling of fatigue crack growth. Experimental measurements of local deformation and fracture behaviour are combined with numerical simulation and stochastic FEM techniques. \textit{V. V. Bolotin} gives a systematic study of influence of initial and newborn defects on fatigue lifetime and reliability measures of structural components. Microstructural approach to macrocrack initiation is discussed, and fatigue cracks growth is explained for random media. \textit{K. Sobczyk} presents a wide class of cumulative jump stochastic processes which can be characterized by stochastic integrals. The effect of correlation of crack increments and crack size is compared with experimental data, and a retardation model of fatigue growth is presented. The Markov diffusion processes are applied by \textit{B. F. Spencer} to fatigue crack growth. Random variable models are presented as a special case of the random process models. Two practical methods of fatigue assessment of offshore platforms are presented in the last chapter: The Wöhler curve application and fracture mechanics approach. Reliability updating based on inspection results and optimization of design, inspection and maintenance coupled problems are discussed at the end.