2. Fatigue and damage in the validation of the service life of a mechanical component

The results of the load analysis, measured under actual conditions of use, must be usable by the steps of the service life calculation method. For example, a counting method must be devised (see ) to identify a "statistical load event" in a random loading history. For example, this event may consist of amplitudes grouped into classes, extrema, ranges, or "cycles" of the load studied. Often, it is stress ranges or cycles that are used to calculate a service life.

To enhance forecasting capabilities, service life calculations need to benefit from a probabilistic approach in order to predict reliability. Rather than "range"...