Fatigue limit estimation using IR camera

Abstract

Determination of fatigue limit by traditional method is associated with testing of large number of specimens. This is caused by more scatter in test results and therefore a higher amount of tests are needed to generate a statistically reliable trend. The paper presents rapid and reliable estimation of fatigue limit using infrared thermography. By analysing the temperature of the material surface during cyclic loading it is possible to evaluate the dynamic behaviour of a structure and determine the fatigue limit. The method provides reliable results using a very little number of specimens in a very short time compared with traditional method.

Keywords

• Fatigue limit
• Wöhler diagram
• infrared camera
• thermography