Fatigue life prediction of machined components using finite element analysis of surface topography

Fatigue strength of structures is highly dependent on the surface quality. Current methods to predict fatigue life rely on empirical relations between geometric surface parameters and observed endurance lives. The uncertainty associated with these methods is typically high, since parameters based on geometrical averages can fail to describe important characteristics of surface topography. A new approach is presented, where detailed finite element analysis of surface topography is used as a foundation for fatigue life prediction.