Fatigue Resistance: Design Considerations

Contrary to the general conception of adding weight for fatigue resistance it is sometimes possible to reduce the fatigue hazard by removing weight. The theory of having bearing area, tear‐out area, and tension area sufficient to develop the full shear strength of a rivet is not necessarily sound when fatigue life is considered. Accordingly, marked improvements in fatigue resistance can be achieved by reducing the underlying areas to such an extent that they are incapable of inducing loads causing fatigue failures of the main structure. Results of tests involving fatigue failure are given, and seven basic considerations in the design of fatigue resistant structures are listed.