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Difference between "Range-Mean" and "From-To" cycle counting

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Ina_S

Siemens Theorist
‎ 3-08-2017
12:40 PM
0
The unsymmetrical From-To cycle counting keeps more information about the loading cycles
than Range-Mean counting does, because it also stores the "orientation" of each load cycle.
This is important information if you want to reconstruct a time history from a Rainflow matrix.
 
The Rainflow counting of LMS Tecware is a From-To cycle counting, and thus the default
representation of the Rainflow matrices are also in From-To form.
 
However, Tecware also allows changing the representation to Range-Mean matrices. In fact, a
Range-Mean histogram can always be derived from a From-To histogram, but not vice versa.
This is because the From-To representation includes additional information (as mentioned
above).
 
Example:
Look at the two load histories below:

They both have the same mean level and the same number of cycles, and the cycles'
amplitudes are identical. The only distinctive property is the opposite polarity.
 
 
Looking at the Rainflow matrices of the two load histories, we get in the From-To
representation:

 
The Rainflow matrix of "Load_up" shows hanging cycles, whereas the corresponding Rainflow
matrix of "Load_down" shows standing cycles.
The denotation hanging and standing is motivated from the stress-strain-path. There, a
hanging event is connected to the superior hysteresis branch at its upper reversal point, but a
standing event is connected at its lower reversal point.
 
 
When a load cycle is just represented by its range and mean, the distinction between hanging
andstanding is not possible. Thus, the Range-Mean representation for both of the signals
looks like this:
 

 
Remarks:
The desired representation of a Rainflow matrix can be set in the "RainView layout" window,
which is available via the menu Options à Layout within the Rainflow matrix display.
 

 
Rainflow matrices can only be edited in the From-To representation. 
 
Questions? Contact Us!
 
More Fatigue and Durability links: 
 Siemens LMS Durability testing solutions
What is a SN-Curve?
Stress and Strain
Calculating damage with Miner's Rule
Calculating fatigue damage in LMS Tecware ProcessBuilder
Measuring strain gauges with LMS Test.Lab
Rosette strain gauges
Rainflow Counting
History of Fatigue

 
Other Articles:
What is an order?
What is torsional vibration?
What is sound power?
What is a Power Spectral Density (PSD)?
Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC)

Labels:

Durability Testing
LMS Tecware

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