Usage of proper Mean Stress Correction method to avoid Fatigue Failures (SN Method)

No mean stress correction:

Selecting this (default) option will leave the SN curve unaffected by the mean stress level. This is recommended in
case of welded or bolted joints, for which the effect of mean stresses is already included in the SN curve.

HCF Region:

In the HCF regime, normal mean stresses have a significant effect on fatigue behavior of components. The opening of
microcracks accelerates the rate of crack propagation and the closing of microcracks retards the growth of cracks,
tensile mean normal stresses are detrimental and compressive mean normal stresses are beneficial in terms of fatigue
strength.

LCF Region:

There is very little or no effect of mean stress on fatigue strength in the LCF regime. Large amount of plastic
deformation significantly reduces any beneficial or detrimental effect of the mean stress.

Mean stress correction lines give you the safe limit to operate if you plug in your mean load and another term called
alternating stress which basically gives the amount of load change (intensity of cyclic loading).

Mean stress offset is a very crucial parameter to be considered for the below loading scenarios

1. Variable Amplitude Loading

2. Random response loading
3. Transient Loading
The selection of the appropriate one and the estimation of corrected mean stress is vital.

This document will not deal with the formulas and definitions of the corrections, rather it will emphasize more on the
application side.

In OS Fatigue/HL Fatigue for SN method we have below mean stress corrections

1. Goodman Source – Fatigue Toolbox

2. Gerber

3. Modified Gerber

4. Soderberg

5. FKM

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Below are some important considerations while accounting the Mean stress offset

➢ Goodman is over conservative, and Gerber provides wrong results for compressive stresses

➢ Goodman is recommended for high-strength/low-ductility materials

➢ Soderberg is also more or less conservative as Goodman diagram

➢ Gerber option is recommended for “reasonably ductile” materials

➢ Forschungskuratorium Maschinenbau (FKM) is used when there are no experimental data

available for materials or the R ratio is beyond the range

➢ According to FKM-Guideline, Haigh’s diagram based on a normal stress can be classified as

four regimes

M -Mean stress sensitivity

Source – FKM guideline

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