Vibration & Fatigue Analysis

Low Cycle / High Cycle Fatigue Analysis

A vibrating component or system often leads to fatigue – which eventually leads to equipment malfunction, or catastrophic failure. Fatigue cracks usually initiate at the surface, and for this reason, the condition of the surface and the environment are important factors influencing fatigue behavior.

Tom O’Donnell performs vibration, fatigue and failure analysis to ASME and other relevant Codes. Bill O’Donnell Sr. currently serves as the Chairman of the Subgroup of Fatigue Strength of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

We perform fatigue analysis of non-welded and welded components. Fatigue analysis is performed per ASME Section III Class 1 and Section VIII Division 2. The fatigue design life evaluation procedures in Section III of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code were originally developed in the U.S. Naval Nuclear Program. Those involved were Bill O’Donnell, (Bernie) Langer, W.E. (Bill) Cooper and James (Jim) Farr – who, in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s developed the initial formulation of this technology in the Tentative Structural Design Basis for Reactor Pressure Vessels and Directly Associated Components, which became known as “SDB-63.”

Section III of the ASME Code “Vessels in Nuclear Service” was the first to include specific Code rules to prevent low cycle fatigue failure. Its first edition was published in 1963; Section VIII, Division 2, “Alternate Rules for Pressure Vessels” followed in 1968.