GRAPHICS ENHANCED COMPUTER-AIDED FATIGUE DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR MECHANICAL COMPONENTS.

A graphics enhanced fatigue analysis and design code using stress-based methods is described. CAFE (Computer Aided Fatigue Evaluation) is coded in FORTRAN VS and Plot-10 graphics, and implemented under the CMS operating system. Six fatigue models and five failure theories may be utilized to estimate fatigue life or to design mechanical components. Fatigue life may be evaluated from component stresses for biaxial and triaxial states. Machine components may be designed for finite or infinite life using either a general purpose design strategy, or one specific to shafts under alternate bending and torsion and steady axial loading. Both design strategies utilize a bisection iterative solution scheme. Data-bases for theoretical stress concentration factors, notch sensitivity, endurance limit modifying factors, and material properties are included. S-N diagrams may also be generated. CAFE is hoped to serve as a tail-end to computational models as a computer aided design tool.