Shared flowchart

Engineering · L3 · How a Fatigue Failure Develops

Decision flow from repeated cyclic loading through crack initiation, crack propagation, and final fracture — and the fatigue-limit branch where a steel part can avoid cracking altogether.

by @openstemUpdated Engineering
🔄 Repeated cyclic loading beginsStress amplitude below the fatigue limit?✅ No crack ever initiates - near-infinite lifeMicrocrack initiates at a surface flaw or notchCrack grows a small amount each cycleRemaining cross-section too small to carry the load?💥 Sudden final fractureYesNoNot yetYes

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