FATIGUECALC - A microcomputer program for fatigue design of welded joints - description and application in design for variable amplitude loading

TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 424/1990

By K A Macdonald and P J Tubby

Background

Fatigue design calculations for selection of scantlings in welded structural steel construction can be laborious, especially where the structure is subjected to variable amplitude loading. The Welding Institute has developed a microcomputer program named FatigueCalc as a calculation aid and educational guide for the designer. The principal features of the program and its operation are described in the present report. Examples are given which illustrate the versatility of the software and highlight various aspects of current fatigue design codes. Data derived with the program, which provide a useful guide for the design of joints subjected to variable amplitude loading, are presented in Fig.8, 10 and 11.