Fatigue properties of jointed wood composites - Part II Life prediction analysis for variable amplitude loading

A method of predicting lifetime to failure for any wood composite system su bjected to a complex load-time history has been developed. The prediction f irst requires the generation of a simple model to characterize the fatigue response of the particular composite system and a rainflow analysis breakdo wn of the load-time history under investigation. Once the models a re deriv ed they can be used to predict lifetimes to failure for any load-time histo ry using a modified Palmgren-Miner damage summation rule. Variable amplitud e fatigue testing of sample material using the same load-time histories all owed a comparison to be made between predicted and actual lifetimes to fail ure and was useful in verifying and refining the life prediction models. (C ) 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers.