Abstract
Keywords: multibody dynamic analyses, FE analyses, fatigue life estimation of a crankshaft.
Current industrial design is highly concerned by fatigue because this phenomenon is the main failure mode of mechanical structures undergoing variable loads. To incorporate durability analysis early in the engineering process requires integration with today's CAE tools. Up-front computer simulation has become increasingly important to achieve expected design goals. To avoid under or over designing the product requires the ability to handle with realistic loading because most durability failures are due to fatigue damage accumulation from dynamic loads. The S-N curve method is then clearly not sufficient and more sophisticated methods are needed. This is particularly true when the fatigue resistance of mechanical structures which have to resist to complex cyclic loadings is evaluated, which necessitates the use of multiaxial fatigue criteria.