Fatigue of Structures and Materials

- Introduction to Fatigue (fatigue as a phenomenon; stress concentrations; residual stresses; fatigue properties of metallic and composite materials; fatigue strength of notched specimens, residual strength).

- Fatigue damage mechanisms (initiation, crack growth, delamination growth, transverse matrix cracking, fibre failure).

- Analysis methods (stress concentration factors, stress intensity factors; energy balance approaches, strain energy release rates).

- Fatigue loading (Load Spectra, Fatigue under Constant- en Variable-Amplitude Loading).

- Special Fatigue Conditions (surface treatments; fretting corrosion; corrosion fatigue; high-temperature and low-temperature fatigue, moisture ingress).

- Fatigue and Damage Tolerance of Aircraft Structures: Regulations, tests, scatter, application of fatigue and damage tolerance methods.

Written exam en assignments

Written exam at the end of the lecture period, 80% of total grade.

Assignments during the lecture period, altogether 20% of the total grade. Deadlines of individual assignments are communicated via Brightspace.