A new approach to fatigue analysis in composites based on residual strength degradation

Composite materials applied to transportation are usually subjected to cycl ic loads that extend for periods of time longer than the ones traditionally studied. Therefore, it seems necessary to define a prediction model which would extend its range beyond the traditional 10(6) cycles of the S-IV curv es. This paper develops a prediction model based on the residual strength d egradation of composites when subjected to cyclic loads. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.