Class: BE210
Group: W1
Members:
Michelle Gupta
Jennifer Fleischer
Jonathan
Abelson
Andrew Franklin
Hyun Tae Shin
Date: April 2004
Abstract:
Material and structural properties of different materials can be evaluated by performing cyclical loading tests. The cycle life of a material helps to determine its performance characteristics. This is essential when deciding what materials to use in products that are subject to constant cyclic loading such as knee braces, artificial tendons, and replacement heart valves. It is important to recognize that within cyclical loading there is a difference between low and high cycle fatigue. Low cycle fatigue is cyclic loading with a maximum load that is below the static ultimate structural failure load, this includes maximum loads that are just below the ultimate failure load. High cycle fatigue is defined as cyclic loading with a maximum load that is much below the static ultimate structural failure load; this type of loading takes a long amount of time since the material experiences relatively small loads. Due to time constraints only low cycle fatigue was investigated. A three point bending system was used to observe the effects of cyclic loading on materials in this project.