RFAT is a high-performance software library built to meet the demanding needs of fatigue evaluation in modern engineering. Whether you're analysing components under stochastic loading or variable amplitude stresses, RFAT offers a comprehensive set of tools for both spectral and temporal fatigue analysis. Its capabilities include support for stochastic methods, Rainflow counting, and critical plane models in three dimensions—making it suitable for accurately assessing fatigue life in complex structural systems.
Developed with flexibility and precision in mind, RFAT is designed to integrate seamlessly into simulation workflows for both industry and research. It enables engineers to evaluate durability and failure risks with confidence, helping to optimise design and extend the lifespan of critical components. With RFAT, you gain access to cutting-edge fatigue methodologies in a single, streamlined solution.
Development of RFAT is based on academic research and engineering experience.
Key Features
General Fatigue Evaluation Post-Processor
RFAT's general fatigue evaluation post-processor simplifies the analysis process by seamlessly integrating with your existing workflows. This powerful tool offers a user-friendly interface and detailed reports to help you identify potential fatigue issues and extend the lifespan of your components.
Spectral Fatigue Analysis
Utilise the spectral fatigue module to analyse fatigue in frequency domain. Stochastic methods predict the fatigue life of structures subjected to loading conditions described by statistical properties. This is especially relevant for offshore ships, FPSOs, wind turbines etc. RFAT’s spectral fatigue module allows for accurate assessment of random loading environments, ensuring that your designs are reliable and is appropriately analysed wrt. classification rules.
Temporal Fatigue Analysis
RFAT employs temporal fatigue analysis using Rainflow counting methods, providing precise calculations of fatigue damage over time. This method is ideal for evaluating the cumulative effect of varying load cycles, offering insights into the durability of materials and structures under real-world conditions.
Three-Dimensional Critical Plane Methods
The three-dimensional critical plane module offer a vide range of algorithms to fatigue analysis in time-domain. For complex solids experiencing multi-axial stress histories numerous damage criteria exist [1, 2]. RFAT's advanced algorithms ensure accurate identification of critical planes and potential failure points, enhancing the reliability of your fatigue predictions.
Contact fatigue
Contact fatigue and fretting fatigue are special classes of fatigue problems occurring in machine parts in contact. Highly localised stresses combined with surface wear cause a complex interplay of damaging processes. Initiating surface cracks may additionally be difficult to detect, resulting in potentially dangerous and unexpected failure modes. Fretting fatigue problems are frequent in engineering design and is often important to assess in early design stages [3].
Why Choose RFAT?
Improve Your Design Process with RFAT
Explore the capabilities of RFAT to improve fatigue analysis in engineering applications. Identify potential fatigue problems early in design to reduce cost and time to market.
References
[1] Sunde et al. (2020)
Efficient implementation of critical plane for 3D stress histories using triangular elements
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2019.105448
[2] A. Fatemi, N. Shamsaei (2011)
Multiaxial fatigue: An overview and some approximation models for life estimation
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2011.01.003
[3] Sunde et al. (2018)
Predicting fretting fatigue in engineering design,
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