4. Conclusion

Although the general classical method developed is open to criticism on a number of points :

• use of highly dispersive factors such as K _p and K _e ;

• no possibility of calculating the predicted life of the part for endurances well below the conventional fatigue limit (apart from carrying out tests to plot Wöhler curves);

• significant underestimation of actual part performance, as the material's ability to adapt is not taken into account,

it can be used to determine the fatigue limit of a part, even when subjected to combined stresses, provided they are in phase.

It is therefore an important first step for the designer in understanding...